The original musical, written by Emmy winner Ian Patrick Williams with music by Broadway composer Norman L. Berman and lyrics by Enrichment Works Founder and Executive Director Abraham Tetenbaum, stars Jordan Preston, an original cast member, and Danielle Vernengo who joined the show in 2005.

“Food For Thought” was originally funded by a grant from the Children’s 5 a Day – Power Play! Campaign of the University of California Cooperative Extension. The assembly has reached more than 75,000 K-5 students since 2002. In addition to the LAUSD, school districts in Alhambra, Downey, Roland Heights and Lakewood have hosted the show.

“Food For Thought” was created in response to the epidemic of childhood obesity in California public schools. The plot features M.C. Vendor, a popular school vending machine who develops “Junkfooditis” and learns to eat right and stay fit with the help of the children he loves. The assembly encourages active participation by its young audiences.