Fresh Fruits and VegetablesSeptember 1, 2011

Elizabeth DunnDirector of Dining ServicesScurry-Rosser ISD

USDA Encourages Schools to Use More Local Food

•Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010

•New rules to encourage use of local farm products in school meals

•Opt for unprocessed locally grown and locally raised agriculture products

Eat Local:

-Support local farmers and vendors within 100 miles of your home.

Locally grown products are:• picked close to peak• are less likely to be treated with herbicides or

pesticides• more nutritious and more flavorful• reduces our impact on the planet

The Fresh and Local Campaign

August – October 2011.

•Educate students and customers about sustainability practices•The benefit of eating fresh, local produce•How to support your community and the environment•How buying local affects our communities and wellness.

Examples of local produce:

•Broccoli -Squash•Peaches -Carrots•Sweet Potatoes -Cantaloupe•Tomatoes -Oranges•Spinach -Watermelon•Dark Leafy Greens -Pumpkins

Supporting local farmers:

•Go to a farmer’s market to purchase produce instead of the grocery store•Working farmland is one of the hardest occupations•The outcome often requires a lot of work for a very small harvest.

Farmer’s Market Tips:

•Know the crop calendar•Go early or go late•Bring your own bag•Bring small change•Ask questions•experiment

Top 10 Reasons to Eat Fruits and Vegetables:

1. They taste great!2. They are fun to eat!3. They are quick, natural snack.4. They have variety.5. They contain vitamins and minerals.

7. They reduce the risk of disease.8. They are low in calories They have fiber.9. They are convenient.10. They have color and texture.

Tomatoes:

• First discovered in Peru• Introduced to Europe in 1500’s• French called it the “apple of love”• Germans called it the “apple of paradise”• Scientific term means “wolf peach” in Latin

Tomato:

Is it a fruit or a vegetable?

• A fruit is the edible part of a flowing plant

• Up until 1800’s was considered a fruit in order to avoid taxation. Was later changed after a court ruled tomatoes were vegetables and they needed to be taxed as such!

• Tomatoes:

• Are an excellent source of Vitamin C and a good source of Vitamin A.

• served and prepared as one of the most popular vegetables in the USA!

• Handout: List of Vitamin A, C and iron rich foods

Challenge:

• Ask your mom or dad to make one meal that has a local fruit or vegetable in it. You can make the meal together and teach them the importance of eating locally!