It's not a supermarket tabloid, but a story in the Eureka Times-Standard today reports facts that are quite simply beyond belief. The article says local fifth-grade students "were coming back for seconds and thirds" after being served Brussels sprouts.

How could this happen? The answer is something UC Cooperative Extension experts have been telling parents and schools for years.

“It's been proven if they have some hands on activity with gardens and vegetables, they'll eat them more," the article quoted UC Cooperative Extension farm advisor Deborah Giraud, who is working with several Humboldt County schools that have on campus gardens. "They're so excited to dig up a carrot and work in their own garden,” she said.

Giraud told reporter Donna Tam that simply squeezing orange juice can make kids more excited about nutrition.

”A lot of them had never had fresh orange juice,” Giraud is quoted. “I get to talk about where the trees are growing, why the climate is important, why the bees are important -- just the whole picture on why it's important to have an orange grove.”

Carrots? OK. Orange juice? Yes. But Brussels sprouts? Am I alone in thinking I'd have to see it to believe it?