Picture this: a full-sized carrot walks into a first-grade classroom in Baxter, followed by broccoli, a cucumber, a tomato, salad greens, and an avocado.

The kids immediately shout: "Can I eat you??"

That's exactly the reaction Crow Wing Energized was hoping for.

For the seventh year running, the One Vegetable, One Community initiative is spreading its message of healthy eating, movement, and wellness to kids across Crow Wing County — and the 2026 Vegetable of the Year is the carrot 🥕.

Volunteers dressed as veggies have been visiting first graders in Brainerd, Baxter, Nisswa, Crosby, Pequot Lakes, and Crosslake, teaching kids how vegetables grow and why eating colorful foods matters. They read "Too Many Carrots" by Katy Hudson, share fun facts about each veggie, and lead the kids through the Veggie Power Chant.

Rena Bolt, community health specialist with Crow Wing Energized, sums up the mission perfectly:

"It's to get them to have that idea in their head that trying a vegetable could be a fun experience, not gross and icky."

And here's the best part for home gardeners: carrot seeds will be available for free at various community locations starting around mid-April. Follow Crow Wing Energized on Facebook for exact pickup spots as they're announced.

The Brainerd Lakes Area has always been a community that shows up for its kids. Programs like this are proof that healthy communities are built one classroom — and one carrot — at a time. 🌱