Alma Minzer, age 8, of Miami, Fla., for her question:

WHY IS SPINACH GOOD FOR YOU?

Spinach is a vegetable that rates high in vitamin value and in minerals. It is an excellent source of vitamins A and C and a fair source of vitamins of the B complex. In addition, it has a large amount of fiber and also acts as a mild laxative.

Spinach is related to beets, Swiss chard and a common weed called lamb's quarters. The leafy green vegetable originated in Southwest Asia where the Persians used it as a medicine. It became popular in Europe during the 1500s and was brought to North America by the colonists.

Lots of people eat spinach raw in salads. Other people like it cooked.

The vegetable grows rapidly in fertile, sandy soil. It doesn't like an acid soil. It takes about three months to go from seed planting time to harvest.