How often does one pay attention to where precisely food is tasted on the tongue?

Students at Swansfield Elementary School explored the concept of taste -- and learned to differentiate their taste buds -- during a recent Days of Taste program, a community outreach initiative designed to teach students about seasonal local food.

On the first day of the three-day program, students were asked to act as "sensory sleuths" while taste-testing various foods -- "sour, sweet, salty and bitter," according to fourth-grader Christa Owusu.

For example, the students had grapes to experiment with their sweet taste bud and lemon for the sour.

The program, started by The American Institute of Wine & Food (a nonprofit organization that aims "to advance the understanding, appreciation and quality of what we eat and drink," according to its Web site), took place on June 1, 3 and 8. The Howard County Nutrition and Physical Activity Coalition has helped to coordinate the program locally.

On June 3, the students visited Larriland Farms, in Woodbine, which grows berries, apples, peaches, spinach and more.

"It's important for everybody to have an understanding (of) where their food comes from," Larriland President Lynn Moore said.

The students toured the farm on a hay ride, and learned about harvesting, fertilization and irrigation techniques.

Moore said it is important for students to learn about farming techniques because it "changes the scope of how you feel about food."

The tour gave Swansfield fourth-grader Emily Donnely a better idea of how a farm operates, she said.

"It was hard work ... to get everything ready for picking seasons," she said.

Teacher Michele Barron said she hopes the Days of Taste program provided a valuable lesson to her students in encouraging them to try new, healthful foods and to buy locally. Her students seemed to concur.

"We could try to get our families to eat healthy foods, like spinach," student Christa Owusu said.

The final day of the program consisted of a visit from chef Marc Dixon of Bistro Blanc, in Glenelg. Dixon taught the students to make a vinaigrette salad dressing.

The program at the school is a pilot program that organizers hope will be implemented at other Howard County schools.

* Middle Patuxent Nursery School has openings for fall classes for 3-year-olds. Go to www.mpns.net or call 443-535-9030 for more information.

* Glenelg High School's boys basketball program is holding a car wash on June 20 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is free, but donations are appreciated. The car wash will be held at the old Bushy Park Elementary School, at 2670 Route 97, in Glenwood. Contact ramjr1@msn.com for more information.

* Reservoir High School's football teams will hold their third-annual "Huge Yard Sale" June 27 (rain date June 28). Spaces may be reserved for $15 for the first space and $5 for each additional space. E-mail RHSyardsale@comcast.net for registration forms. The school is located at 11550 Scaggsville Road, in Fulton.

Send school-related items to School Days, Flier/Times, 10750 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia, MD 21044. Fax items to 410-997-4564 or e-mail mroshan@patuxent.com.

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