Across the board, the land of the free is becoming the land of the overweight, and there does not appear to be any slowing down in sight. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the percentage of students in grades 9-12 who are overweight has steadily risen over the last 15 years. From 2001 to 2013, the rate has climbed from just under 14% to nearly 17%. Helping young children understand the importance of living a healthy lifestyle with sound nutrition is at the core of what Veggiecation does best. Started in 2009 by a woman who saw the need for better nutrition in elementary schools, Veggiecation is a culinary-nutrition education program that seeks to reverse the current trend, and emphasize the significance of vegetables and fruits as part of a balanced diet. Most recently, the company took its in-person training for educators and made it into an all-access webinar! Now teachers and parents alike can learn the Veggiecation formula in their homes, on their schedule.