Health benefit of fresh fruit

It's a fact. When you give kids a

chance to create their own meals, they're more
likely to eat them. It's also true that kids
don't
often make the wisest choices. That's why
parents are grateful for fruit. Naturally
delicious and notoriously healthy, fresh fruit
is
the perfect ingredient for getting kids to the
table. It's a smart food that tastes like a
treat.
A lot of parents can't wait for summer and the
arrival of fresh fruit season. But thanks to
another "best of both worlds" scenario, they
don't have to wait. When it's winter in North
America, the weather in Chile is just heating
up, and its robust fruit industry ensures that
fresh fruit is available year-round.
So, what fresh ideas can parents spring on the
kids this winter? A great place to start is
"nature's candy," fresh Chilean grapes . The
perfect finger food, grapes can also be the
centerpiece of an appetizer plate, the sweet
addition to savory snacks, and the fun
ingredient in unexpected places. Green, red
and black grapes provide endless inspiration
for kids of all ages to be creative and enjoy.
Here are a few ideas to inspire!
* Grapes and cheese cubes on pretzel skewers
* Grapes as the center of cheese sunflowers
with a celery stem
* Grape turtle with an apple slice as the body
* Frozen grape caterpillars with mini
chocolate chips for eyes
* Grape salsa as a topping for tacos or baked
brie
* Roasted grapes tossed in grain salads and
layered in yogurt-granola parfaits
* Halved grapes tucked into grilled cheese
sandwiches
* Heart-shaped cookies decorated with grapes
Winter is also a good time for fresh
blueberries, the little blue dynamos that work
magic in all manner of kid-friendly dishes.
And if it seems like ages since you've enjoyed
fresh plums and nectarines, you'll find ripe,
flavorful stonefruit from Chile waiting for you
in many American produce aisles.
Year-round availability of fresh fruit and kid-
friendly recipes give parents sweet options for
long winter months.