Sami Fazlic, a fifth grade student at Cape Elementary, sings the sweet potato song with UF Pinellas County PSE Specialist Lisa Pineda. By Meghan Bradbury

The cafeteria at Cape Elementary School came alive Thursday as students sang and swayed to the sweet potato song as part of a Florida Crunch event.

The excitement quickly became contagious as kids chanted their friends’ names to take the microphone and sing, while others sat, or stood swaying with their hands in the air singing the tunes as well.

Students had the opportunity to learn about growing sweet potatoes, while also participating in the Florida Crunch — take a bite of a sweet potato, which came from Cape Coral school farms.

Cape Elementary School Food Service Manager Lisa Paul said it was fun to see the students this excited. She thought the event was great as it showed the students a new vegetable they could try.

Sweet potato fries are a menu item choice from time to time at Cape Elementary.

The Florida Crunch event was a partnership between the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension Family Nutrition Program, and the School District of Lee County — Healthy Living Collaboration.

UF Pinellas County PSE Specialist Lisa Pineda, who was born in Lee County, has been gardening her whole life. She said she focuses on plants that can produce for many years.

The event sheds light on growing food, recognizing that food and picking it out at lunch, Pineda said.

“Healthy relationship with healthy food,” she said.

Pineda said they will collect data of how many students will choose sweet potato fries next time it is served during lunch.

Food and Nutrition Services Coordinator Amy Caroll said this was the fifth annual Florida Crunch event for the School District of Lee County.

“The Florida Crunch is a tasting event held each year in celebration of Farm to School month, which is the month of October, but Hurricane Milton delayed our schedule,” she said. “Farm to School month was designated by Congress in 2010 to demonstrate the growing importance of farm to school programs as a means to improve child nutrition, support local economies and educate children about the origins of food.”

The district hosts three Florida Crunch events annually, inviting all elementary schools to participate.

“We rotate the events throughout the county to ensure maximum student involvement,” Caroll said.

The other two schools this year included Orange River Elementary School and Hancock Creek Elementary School.

“Students explore Florida agriculture, local produce, and the value of sustainable, locally-sourced food. They learn about food origins, the growth process, and the importance of mindful eating,” Caroll said. “Florida Crunch events introduce students to a variety of foods, fostering positive associations with healthy eating. By highlighting produce served in school meals, these events encourage increased participation in the school meal program.”