At a recent community gathering I found myself reminiscent of the one movie that makes seemingly levelheaded men cry; Field of Dreams. I myself was nearly moved to tears of happiness as the movie’s famous words played over and over in my head; “If you build it, they will come.” Something magical was happening right before my eyes, and I couldn’t have been any more elated than Kevin Costner was when he saw that all those baseball players actually showed up. What I witnessed was the proof that there is hope for us and our kids; that people really do eat what’s put before them and can survive without an excess of junk.

At this particular gathering, historically, there’s been an abundance of treats for everyone, especially the kids. It’s a fun night and I encourage my kids to look forward to it, junk food and all. This year, the cotton candy that is usually provided could not be for technical reasons, and I wondered what the replacement would be. I saw huge chocolate bars being handed out, and I saw taffy, but I had little time to care about that stuff because I also saw the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen; apples. Not just a few. Lots and lots of apples. Everywhere I looked was a man, woman or child chomping down on an apple. And it wasn’t just one bite. I saw cores. I saw seeds. I saw a kid cry because the last apple was handed out to the person in front of her.

Someone told me there have always been apples, and suggested that maybe I didn’t notice it in the past because all the kids were so busy shoving their faces with candy. I couldn’t remember what was served in the past because I was too wrapped up in the present. Imagine the excitement I felt in this stuffy crowd of people where all I saw where apples being eaten. Here I was, in my own sort of…. orchard of dreams.

People often scoff at the idea of serving fruit, vegetables and other healthy snacks to kids at events that are supposed to be fun, claiming that the kids will be disappointed and not eat those foods, especially when they’re expecting junk. Is it possible that we adults are projecting our own issues onto our kids? Is it possible that we don’t give our kids enough credit to be able to handle the idea of eating somewhat decent food even at a party, a carnival, or a fair? And is it possible that we need to check our own attitudes, because kids pick up on our energy, and are not likely to get excited about healthier food if it’s offered with a pitiful face that indicates that we somehow feel sorry to be offering such food in the first place? Just wondering.

Kevin Costner was told that if he’d build it, they’d come.

And I’m  telling you, if you serve it, they’ll eat.