Peru’s Largest Fruit Salad Highlights Importance of a Healthy Lifestyle

The initiative, part of an Adventist school celebration, engaged the community.

November 29, 2023 | Peru | Thais Suarez, South American Division, and Adventist Review

As part of the festivities for the fourth anniversary of the John Andrews Adventist School (JAAS) in the city of Cajamarca, Cajamarca Region, in northern Peru, students successfully prepared “The Largest Fruit Salad in Peru” on November 10.

The event not only broke a record but also stood out for its commitment to promoting a healthy lifestyle. It was a move that attracted church and community members, organizers of the activity said. Students from various levels actively participated in the preparation of the massive fruit salad, using fresh fruits grown locally, regionally, and nationally by Peruvian farmers committed to quality and sustainability. The initiative was carried out under stringent measures of health, hygiene, and care, organizers said.

JAAS principal Denix Deza showed his excitement for the initiative’s success, noting that the institution’s main goal was to raise awareness about the importance of incorporating fresh fruits into the daily diet. “The positive impact that this can have on society marks a benchmark milestone in the promotion of healthy eating in the Cajamarca Region,” he said.

In addition to the culinary challenge, JAAS carried out a comprehensive healthy lifestyle campaign. Professionals offered free fluoridation and nutritional assessment to community residents who attended the event. Based on those assessments, they offered advice on how to deal with various health issues or challenges.

Outstanding Teamwork

With more than 1,000 people involved, including the school’s students, parents, guest assistants, faculty and staff, the event highlighted the school’s culinary know-how, event organizers said. Likewise, they added, the activity reinforced the school’s commitment to the holistic development of its students.

JAAS is an educational institution that is based on biblical principles and enduring values, school leaders said. The school “is not only concerned with pedagogical quality and academic performance, but also actively engages in the promotion of a healthy lifestyle,” school leaders said. “As part of the Adventist Global Educational Network, JAAS continues to be a benchmark in the education of more than 2 million students in more than 165 countries.”

The original version of this story was posted on the South American Division Spanish-language news site.