June 2022 Nutrition Newsletter
June 09th, 2022
Get Ready For Summer Meals!
Summer Meals Program Runs June 13 – August 12
Summer break may be getting closer, but that doesn’t mean we stop feeding our community. Our WaveCrest Cafe team will be hard at work feeding breakfast and lunch to our Vista Unified community all summer long.
Meals are available at no cost to all children 18 & under with no forms or paperwork required.
The district’s Summer Meals program, operated through the USDA, launches June 13th and runs through August 12th, at four school locations as well as the Boys & Girls Club of Vista.
Click here to download the summer menu with locations, dates, and times.
“The summer program is a vital service to so many in our community who rely on the school meal program year-round,” says Jamie Phillips, Director of Child Nutrition Services for Vista Unified School District.
“Statistically, just 1 out of 7 children who qualify for free or reduced meals during the school year eats a summer lunch,” says Phillips. “Our summer program is a way to close that gap and provide nutrition to the communities and children that we serve.”
The district is working to make information about the program as accessible as possible. Schedules and menus are posted on the WaveCrest Cafe website and shared via emails and handouts to parents and families from each school.
In addition to the posted information with locations, dates, times, and menus, anyone can text FOOD (English) or COMIDA (Spanish), to 304-304, to receive information on the closest locations.
Be sure to join us for meals all summer!
Snack Smart This Summer
Planning for healthy snacks can help satisfy hunger between meals and keep you moving toward your food group goals. We’ve got a collection of ideas and tips that can help you to make your summer snacks full of flavor and fun! You can download this easy tip sheet as well: HackingYourSnacks
Build Your Own: Make your own trail mix with unsalted nuts and add-ins such as seeds, dried fruit, popcorn, or a sprinkle of chocolate chips.
Prep Ahead: Portion snack foods into bags or containers when you get home from the store so they’re ready to grab-n-go when you need them.
Make It A Combo: Combine food groups for a satisfying snack—yogurt and berries, apple with peanut butter, whole-grain crackers with turkey, and avocado.
Eat Vibrant Veggies: Spice up raw vegetables with dips. Try dipping bell peppers, carrots, or cucumbers in hummus, tzatziki, guacamole, or baba ganoush.
Snack On The Go: Bring ready-to-eat snacks when you’re out. A banana, yogurt (in a cooler), or baby carrots are easy to bring along and healthy options.
Smoothie Recipes
One of the things that is so much fun about bringing our Blender Bikes to schools is showing everyone how easy it is to make healthy and delicious fruit smoothies. Smoothies are fun to make and can be an activity for the entire family.
They are also a great way to enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as cut down on sugary drinks. Here are a few of our favorite smoothie recipes that you can enjoy all summer long (or anytime). Just add the ingredients into a blender and mix.
Green Machine Smoothie: a mixture of apples, bananas, apple juice, and fresh greens. Add these ingredients to a blender and mix:
- 16 oz. fresh apple juice
- 1 apple (cored)
- 1 banana
- 1/2 cup of greens (spinach; kale; etc.)
Berry Blast Smoothie
Add any mix of your favorite berries and mix. That’s it! Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, or whatever you like.
If fresh berries aren’t available or are too expensive, try frozen berries. They cost less and still come packed with nutrients and flavor.
Dreamsicle Orange Smoothie
- 1 frozen banana
- 1 orange, peeled or 2 clementines, peeled
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup milk
You can also add honey or maple syrup to make it sweetener – just go easy and find the spot that tastes best.
Strawberry Banana Smoothie
- 1 frozen banana
- 1/2 cup frozen strawberries
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
You can also add honey or maple syrup as a sweetener – just go easy and find the spot that tastes best.
We have staffing opportunities at most of our schools, and new positions come up regularly. Come be part of a fun, dynamic team and serve our students, staff, and families every day.
With all meals being offered at no charge, we are anticipating even more students will be dining with us, which may result in longer lines. Help us serve our students faster and better – come be part of our team!
Click here to learn more about our open positions and apply today.
Pictures!
Enjoy these pictures from recent events at our schools.
Early Childhood Education Fair
Blender Bikes at Hannalei Elementary
Resources & Grants | Recursos y subvenciones
Request A Master Gardener For Your School
The San Diego County Master Gardener Association provides Master Gardeners to help schools set up and maintain gardens. Master Gardeners act as consultants, mentoring parents and teachers who request help with beginning or improving their school gardens. Request a garden consultant here.
Educational Garden Design Grant – Rolling Dates
The California Native Garden Foundation offers grants for school gardens that feature CA native plants. Types of support include garden design services, in-kind donations of plants and landscape materials, volunteer assistance, and direct financial assistance. Click here to learn more and to apply.
American Heart Association Teaching Gardens
The American Heart Association is helping the fight against childhood obesity by planting gardens in elementary schools across the country that become real-life learning laboratories for students to experience what it means to be healthy. Click here to learn more.
Solana Center Workshops – Rolling Dates
The Solana Center hosts a variety of workshops and lessons across San Diego County, with topics including composting, raising backyard chickens, green living, and water-wise gardening. Check out their events calendar here.
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(C) 2022 WaveCrest Cafe / Vista Unified School District
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Esta institución es un proveedor de igualdad de oportunidades.