Out in Las Vegas, NV, a group of elementary school students were unhappy with the amount of canned green beans that the school cafeteria was serving them and decided to take action. Led by their teacher, they wrote polite letters to the cafeteria manager, expressing how they liked the food, with the exception of the green beans. Impressed by the letter-writing campaign, the food service department for the school district sent some staff members out to the school to conduct a mini taste-test, to see what the kids liked. Unfortunately, the district can only afford to serve a limited number of veggies, so the exercise is sort of moot. But at least they listened to the kids and showed that they respected their likes and dislikes. Here's to even more kids speaking out about their vegetables!
image by Marisa McClellan
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-01-2007 @ 3:53PM
amber said...
I can remember being a teenager, and refuing to eat greenbeans because they were absolutely disgusting. they were also canned-always canned. it wasn't until my husband made them (fresh, from the local farmer's market that afternoon) that I understood how utterly delicious they can be. they are now one of my favorite veggies. No wonder the kids were complaining!
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8-01-2007 @ 5:21PM
dan said...
I love green beans from the can... of course I rinse off all that canny juice before I use them... sometimes allowing them to soak in some other liquid before use. Of all the canned vegetables (excluding the accepted tomatoes, stewed and otherwise), green beans seem to hold up the best. Peas and corn are really bad from a can... they are something to complain about...
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8-01-2007 @ 6:33PM
jsmylie said...
Man, when I was their age, all we had to eat was gruel. And rocks! And pinecones! But we were grateful, dagnabbit!
Seriously, though, fun little article. I'm glad the kids learned the value of polite protest--and that the adults listened!
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8-02-2007 @ 9:49AM
GourmA4 said...
I was never really repulsed by canned green beans, but I found them very boring until I learned a few tricks to dress them up... rinse and them well, saute a small onion or a couple of shallots finely chopped, add the beans and half a packet or so of Sazon con Sabor a Jamon (ham flavored seasoning from Goya) and cover until they are just heated. Certainly not dinner party fare, but not too bad for a weeknight dinner with some rice and something off the grill.
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8-02-2007 @ 12:20PM
MJ said...
Rinse beans with water, addd half pot of fresh water and a fresh ham hock or ham bone 1 tablespoon of bacon drippings. Heaven! Add chopped onion or shallots on top just befor serving. Or chopped bacon
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8-02-2007 @ 5:05PM
Leena said...
I have to agree with Amber; albiet I never hated canned green beans, but just thought of them as filler. That is, until my father got his degree, a better job, and my mom started buying the fresh stuff. I'll eat fresh grean beans anyday now. :9
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