Surgeon general visits garden program at Los Angeles school

LOS ANGELES (AP) — At a high school in urban South Los Angeles, students are growing fruits and vegetables and starting to eat more of them, too.

U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy visited the partnership between community organizations and John C. Fremont High School on Friday.

The visit was aimed at supporting health initiatives in inner-city neighborhoods starved for fresh produce and grappling with childhood obesity.

Murthy says raising awareness about healthy eating is a first step toward building a demand for fresh fruits and vegetables in such communities.

Students involved in the 12-week gardening apprenticeship program say they have tried foods like beets and kumquats for the first time. They’ve also introduced them to their families.