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ALBANY, GA -- "Sweet potato sticks with cinnamon, brown sugar nutmeg, and we did fresh green beans with sautéed onions and a little ham base and we did fresh collard greens," said Bradley Patterson of Westover High School.

That was the menu at Thursday’s ‘Chefs in the Courtyard’ in downtown Albany.

"In order for the children to learn, they have to be fed," said Principal Valerie Thomas of the Lamar Reese Magnet School of the Arts. "They have to be full. They have to have good and proper nutrition."

Members of the community were given the chance to sample the ingredients in the Dougherty County School System’s recipe for fighting childhood obesity.

The first step is letting parents and students know about the healthy approach schools are taking.

"We at the school system do provide fresh fruits and vegetables," said Vanessa Hayes, Director of Child Nutrition for Dougherty County. "We want them to know that. It’s a myth that we only serve things out of a can."

Schools have eliminated fried foods and white bread, replacing them with items like salads, yogurt, and other foods that are low in sodium and preservatives.

While school officials are doing their best to keep your children healthy, they say the real work begins at home.

"Whole grains, choosing fruits and vegetables over hot, fatty starches," said Hayes. "Instead of the fast food, choose to make something at home."

So far, 80% of students have tried the healthier fare and the goal is to convince the other 20% to also give it a taste.

"Just once," said Patterson. "If they come out and try it just once, they’ll like it."