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Spongebob Spinach?

By Lorie Hutson lorieh@spokesman.com(509) 459-5446

He may live in a pineapple under the sea, but he’s no slacker when it comes to veggies. Starting this month, parents will have help encouraging their little ones to eat foods that are good for them.

Nickelodeon stars such as SpongeBob Squarepants will make their debut on packages of spinach and baby carrots in the grocery stores nationwide. Dora the Explorer, and Sportacus and Stephanie from the Nick Jr. series LazyTown also will appear on baby carrot packages from Grimmway Farms, Inc. Boskovich Farms will feature SpongeBob on its bags of spinach. And, LGS Specialty Sales, distributors of oranges, tangerines and clementines, will host characters such as SpongeBob, Dora, Blue’s Clues and The Backyardigans on bags of fruit. Nickelodeon characters also will appear on cartons of lowfat milk once upcoming deals are finalized, according to a news release.

The packages will be available nationwide at supermarkets including Safeway and Albertsons.

“Getting children to eat healthier has always been a struggle for parents, says Don Hobson, sales and marketing vice president for Boskovich Farms, in a news release. “SpongeBob SquarePants is one of the most recognizable and adored characters in touch with youth culture today. Partnering him with one of the healthiest vegetables in the supermarket will definitely appeal to both kids and their parents.”

Bringing home the gold

Coeur d’Alene Cellars’ freshman effort is winning praise.

The winery’s 2002 Syrah earned a gold medal from the Wines of the World competition. The competition featured 4,000 wines from more than 1,000 wineries and is known as a consumer’s tasting event that gives a nod to wines best enjoyed at the table.

Coeur d’Alene Cellars was founded in 2002 by Bob and Kimber Harris. In addition to the syrah, the winery has produced a 2002 and a 2003 viognier. Coeur d’Alene Cellars also bottled seven new wines this spring, which will be released later this summer.

For more information, go to www.cdacellars.com or call (208) 664-2336.

Washington Wine Month

Celebrate Washington Wine Month by tipping a glass to the state’s growing industry.

The state is second only to California in production, turning out 7 million cases of wine last year, worth about $684.9 million in retail sales, according to the Washington Wine Commission.

Watch for wine displays, contests, tastings and discounted prices at area grocery stores and wine shops through August.

For more information, go to www.washingtonwine.org.