Now that children have started back to school, they will learn their ABC's, but they also need to learn about good nutrition to live long, healthy lives.

Parents can help play an important role in their child's nutritional health when packing school lunches.

In order to help keep families involved in the process and help spark a nutritional interest among the children, the Ventura County Farmers' Market Association invites parents and school aged kids to come to the market, sample the items and talk to the many farmers who bring the food directly from the field to the table.

"One of our continuous goals is to educate families about good, wholesome nutrition," stated Karen Wetzel Schott, operations manager for the Ventura County Farmers' Market Association.

"We have plenty of lunch-bag favorites available with ample amounts of fruits and vegetables available throughthe fall,and a new crop of apples now available. If we can get kids excited about including fruits and vegetables in their daily lunch sack, we've done our job," she added

According to the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, the modern American diet is public health threat No. 1. Research has shown that when a child's nutritional needs are met, the child is more attentive in class and has better attendance and fewer disciplinary problems.

Santa Clarita Farmers' Market is held Sundays at the College of the Canyons, Parking Lot 8 on Valencia Boulevard from 8:30 a.m.-noon.

For more information about the Ventura County Certified Farmers' Markets, call 805-529-6266 or visit www.vccfarmersmarket.com.