CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A 'Fruit and Veggie Fest' will take place this week as part of an effort to promote healthier eating.

The festival will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 5, at Foods, Etc., 15290 Lakeshore Drive in Clearlake.

The Network for a Healthy California’s Fruit and Veggie Fest is a month-long promotion to encourage Californians to make every day delicious with the flavors of fruits and vegetables.

In partnership with the network, retailers across the state will join in the annual celebration and host Fruit and Veggie Fest events to inspire shoppers with healthy tips and recipes that include plenty of fresh, frozen, dried and canned produce.

From corner stores to supermarket chains, retail partnerships and in-store activities like Fruit and Veggie Fest are critical in the battle against the obesity epidemic, particularly among low-income Californians who are at greater risk.

Surveys show that retail promotions can have a positive impact on how shoppers spend their food dollars and CalFresh benefits.

Through Fruit and Veggie Fest in-store activities at Foods Etc. shoppers can taste and sample nutritious and delicious recipes from the network’s new “Flavors of My Kitchen” cookbook, which features healthy twists on traditional Latino dishes as well as many new culturally-inspired meals.

Shoppers can pick up a free cookbook or it can be downloaded on the network’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/networkforahealthycalifornia .