Thursday, the Sunshine Seniors celebrated the grand opening of its annual fruit and vegetable stand with Gainesville Mayor Myrtle Figueras and City Councilman George Wangemann.

Figueras told the seniors and children in attendance that "fruits and vegetables were the most important part of the day."

The fruits and vegetables sold each week will benefit the organization, which promotes healthy living through community service such as providing senior citizens with exercise and wellness workshops.

Elizabeth Westbrooks heads up the Sunshine Seniors and said the group has fresh summer vegetables ready for purchase from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays.

"We are charging 25 cents for fruit for kids ... to promote healthy eating," she said. "We have yellow and white corn, we'll have collards tomorrow and the mangoes sold great."

The fruit and vegetable stand is located at Fair Street International Baccalaureate World School, 695 Fair Street in Gainesville. For more information, contact Westbrooks at 770-536-5872.