A program at a Bronx school is teaching kids how to serve up healthier food options. NY1's Erin Clarke filed the following report.
Many students at P.S. 100 in the Bronx can't wait for the school day to end because that means they'll be playing tennis.
They're enjoying themselves so much that it doesn't seem like exercise, but of course, it is.
"When kids are active and they're moving and warming up in the proper ways, and they're spending an hour or two every day getting fit and having fun doing it, then that all contributes to a very healthy body," said Deborah Antoine, president and CEO of New York Junior Tennis and Learning.
That's the mission of New York Junior Tennis and Learning, an organization with a mission to serve young people through tennis instruction, play and educational services.
The organization recently partnered with Emblem Health to bring a Healthy Living Initiative to 18 public elementary schools. It uses tennis to address health and wellness issues threatening city students
There's even a nutritional component to the program, where kids learn about healthy eating options and even get shopping and recipe cards to take home.
The Bodega Buddy cards slip on a bookbag and are a visual reminder of the right kinds of foods to buy, even in neighborhoods where there aren't many traditional grocery stores.
"What we want to show the kids is, 'Yes, you may see the sweets once you enter, but do not let that phase you. You have your buddy clip. Use it and look on the aisles, in the back for the healthy stuff,'" said Mary Joan Fouquet, assistant site director with P.S. 100.
"When I go to the store, I usually check it on my bookbag so I could stay healthy," said student Justin Gotay.
Students are also turning to healthy choices at home.
"Before, I really didn't know that you had to eat healthy. I didn't know about that stuff. But when I found out, I told my mom that we could eat, like, some fruit salads," said student Michael Figueroa.
They use what they've learned through the program to prepare snacks for themselves, like frozen yogurt parfaits and trail mix, or to help mom and dad make a meal, developing healthy habits early on that will serve these kids well as they grow up.