Megan Brooks, who will be a Masuk High School senior this year, used a blender to whip up the "Back to School Smoothie" during the Monroe Farmers' Market Friday afternoon. As part of her Capstone Project, she will be teaming up with market master, Susan Muro, to do culinary demonstrations every week.
Muro said "The Back to School Smoothie" is a green smoothie that uses kale.
"Kids are like, 'I don't like that. It's kale.' But then they taste it and they like it — and they come back for more," Muro said.
Gracie Ann Yeager, 8, of Monroe and her friend Sadie Walker, 9, of Trumbull came to the smoothie stand seven times.
"It's really good," said Sadie.
Asked about the ingredients, Gracie said, "It has banana, coconut ..."
"Kale and a tiny bit of strawberry," Sadie chimed in.
"Oh! And peaches," Gracie said.
"And honey!" the girls added in unison.
Well, they got the recipe right with the exception of strawberries.
Muro said some of the ingredients for the seasonal smoothie came from vendors of the farmers' market. The honey came from Sugar Maple Farm and the kale was provided by Guy's Eco Garden and Pondview Farm.
"I know, given half a chance, kids will eat healthy," said Muro, who is a nutritionist and a health counselor. "They're more likely to try it from someone other than their mom. We turned a lot of kids onto green smoothies today."
The Monroe Farmers' Market is held on the Town Green every Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. For more information visit MonroeFarmersMarket.org.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
