ST. LOUIS • The National Sugar Association has donated salad bars to 10 schools benefiting up to 3,500 children in the St. Louis school district.

The donation was announced Thursday at Ashland Elementary School, where children at lunch tried the cucumbers, celery, tomatoes, cubed pears and peaches and other fruits and vegetables offered.

The sugar association's donation was made in conjunction with the United Fresh Start Foundation, a founding partner of the national Let’s Move Salad Bars to Schools campaign, which supports First Lady Michelle Obama’s broader Let’s Move! initiative to end childhood obesity.

“Sugar in moderation can be part of a balanced, healthful diet and lifestyle, but there is no debate that the centerpieces of a diet should be fruits, vegetables, whole grains and other fiber-rich and calcium-rich foods,” said Andy Briscoe, president of the sugar association.

The ten schools receiving the salad bars are Ashland Elementary, Columbia Elementary, Dunbar Elementary, Fanning Middle School, Hamilton Elementary, Nance Elementary, Oak Hill Elementary, Sigel Elementary, Vashon High School and Yeatman-Liddell Middle School.

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