“Everyone wants to do better, but they don’t always know how,” she said.
Among the information available to parents was a table displaying five examples of healthy school lunch meals, Sebastian said.
The meals, one of which was vegetarian, offered examples that might help parents learn how to make their meals more balanced, she said.
The sample meals were laid out on plates alongside baskets of the store-bought items used to make the lunches, so parents could see the ingredients in the meals, she said.
“We have a very diverse city; we have every group represented here, and sometimes a picture is worth 1,000 words,” Sebastian said of the display.
The examples were helpful, although they didn’t jive with the culturally inspired meals that Eva Felipe, who works in Burbank, said she makes for her three children.
But the examples did provide ideas that could lead to healthier meals, whether they are Filipino or not, she said.
“This girl is picky,” Felipe said of her 5-year-old daughter. “So I think this will work with her.”
Representatives from Burbank’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services were among those on hand advertising after-school and summer programs for children.
In addition to the informational booths, attendees had an opportunity to enjoy a rock-climbing wall, basketball competition, obstacle course, jump-roping area and even video games.
“We incorporate technology with activity,” Holt said of the video games on hand, which included a Nintendo Wii, on which attendees were playing a tennis tournament.
Daniela Benian, 12, was one of the children awaiting a turn on a Dance Dance Revolution video game.
“It’s really fun,” she said.
Although activities and information were available, the event provided a valuable excuse to enjoy the outdoors, said Lorena Tellez, of Burbank.
“For me, sport is one basic thing that kids need to know,” she said.
