ROMNEY - Hampshire County Arts Council produced a unique musical event for hundreds of first-, second- and third-graders at the Hampshire High School auditorium to teach kids the value of good eating and healthy living habits.

Grammy-winning folk singer and songwriter Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer performed their nationally acclaimed "Bon Appetit!" on Wednesday.

"We've been performing for kids in public schools for a long time," Marxer said, "and found it troubling to see all the soda and candy machines, which the kids prefer over healthy foods."

So the popular duo decided to launch a musical healthy eating campaign. Thanks to their celebrity, they were able to garner support from nutritionists at the Center for Science in the Public Interest and funding from the Micronutrient Council of Canada via the World Bank. A great deal of research in pediatric nutrition laid the foundation for their show, but instead of proscribing nutritional information, their presentation is geared toward fun and humor to inspire good eating habits.

Fink and Marxer get an entire auditorium of kids to sing and dance on command with such precision that you'd swear the audience rehearsed for the show. Fink is a virtuoso banjo player, and also plays guitar and other instruments, while Marxer concentrates on the mandolin and percussion instruments, including steel drum.

The combination of humor, excitement and valuable information makes for a truly uplifting experience. Whether it be a rap song about oatmeal played on drums made from round oatmeal boxes or a Calypso song about bananas played with an authentic steel drum, the songs are irresistible to kids. The 2004 Grammy Awards in Los Angeles gave Fink and Marxer's CD "Bon Appetit! Musical Food Fun" top honors in the category Best Musical Recording for Children.

Fink and Marxer have been fixtures in the Washington area music scene for more than 20 years. They've received numerous awards for their children's and family music from the Parent's Choice Foundation, American Library Association, Washington Area Music Association and others. They've been nominated for a Grammy award nine times and have been featured on PBS, NPR and NBC's "Today" show. To get more information and free downloads about children's nutrition, go to: www.cathymarcy.com/bonappetit/

Hampshire County Arts Council's concert chairwoman, Shari Gallery, organized the event. She has been instrumental in bringing many high-caliber music acts into the county and will offer a free summer concert series beginning June 18. For more information, visit the arts council Web site at www.hampshirearts.org or call (304) 496-8002.