The Stanislaus County Nutrition Education and Obesity Prevention Program is hoping to teach area residence healthier ways to refresh and stay away from sugary drinks with the Fruit and Veggie Fest.

The Fruit and Veggie Fest is a family-friendly event to celebrate the many benefits of drinking water and eating healthy. During the event, families are invited to sample a large selection of fruit-infused waters, dance with a live radio-remote from KMIX, and watch performances from Zumba group Bailoterapia Que Te Mueve and Modesto Police Activities League Baile Folklorico traditional dance group. Everyone who attends will be entered in a raffle for healthy products donated by local Stanislaus farms and businesses, and two local youth will be awarded grand prizes of new bicycles and safety equipment.

The Fruit and Veggie Fest is scheduled from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Cost Less Foods at 1610 Hatch Road in Modesto.

The spur to get more county residents drinking water began in 2012 after reports showed an increase in the number of sugary drinks being consumed by county residents, especially among teens and young children. According to researchers, sugary drinks are the largest source of added sugar in the diets of children and adolescents and a significant contributor to total caloric intake. And unlike any other product that children consume in large quantities, sodas offer no nutritional value.