Dade Co-op Wants You To Go Fresh & Local

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – The lobby of the Stephen P. Clark Center in Downtown Miami resembled a fresh market on Tuesday in honor of National Food Day.

The county's Cooperative Extension put together the day's activities in an effort to get people more fresh fruits and veggies along with supporting local farms.

Participant Briana Fraga,9, said it's best to consume fruits and vegetables everyday.

"I guess it helps you live longer," she said. "I have a great grandmother that's 101."

Those stopping by the lobby were treated to food demonstrations and tastings by Johnson & Wales Culinary School chefs. Bee Heaven Farm was selling local honey and tomato transplants while members of the 4-H youth program sold fresh local avocados.

Fraga's mother said the activities are a good idea.

"I cant be around her all the time so that's going to make her make wise choices when she's not with me," her mother Susan Fraga said.

Susan Fraga said, "If you eat healthy your whole life then when you're an adult you don't have that temptation to have more than one one or two cookies because you've only been having one or two cookies."

At the event there were also a number of hands on activities which covered a variety of topics including nutrition, healthy eating and food safety.

The county's Cooperative Extension is a partnership of the Sustainability, Planning and Economic Enhancement Department, formerly the Consumer Services Department, and the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

Sandra Canales, with the Miami-Dade Cooperative Extension, said it's a multi-agency effort.

"Every little bit helps so we're doing our part and there are many other agencies through out the community who are doing their part and we just have to build this community together," she said.

The National Food Day effort was organized by the Center for Science in the Public Interest;  a non-profit watchdog group that since 1971 has led successful fights for food labeling, better nutrition and safer food.

National Food Day is October 24th.