Elgin mayor, chef, show kids joy of healthy eating

Elgin Mayor David Kaptain and local chef Quincy Owens demonstrated how to eat healthy for several children at Thursday's Downtown Elgin Harvest Market.

While hot dogs stayed hidden from view under the dome of charcoal grill, the pair got busy making patriotic fruit kebabs with blueberries and raspberries. They handed them out to the kids, who were part of a free summer program meant to develop healthy young people.

Next, the chef and the mayor made a coleslaw out of red and green cabbage, cranberries, and raspberry vinaigrette - but no mayonnaise.

"When you think of barbecue, you might think of unhealthy foods," Owens said. "But you can still eat healthy and be full. That's what we're aiming for here."

The Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin sponsors the children's program. Several other groups took part at this week's market, including CORE Project, Gail Borden Library, Kim's Black Belt Academy and Side Street Studio Arts.

The Downtown Elgin Harvest Market has more than 20 vendors each Thursday on Kimball Street across from the Gail Borden Library.