May 2023 WaveCrest Cafe Newsletter
May 01st, 2023
May 5th Is School Lunch Hero Day.
Celebrate Your School’s Cafeteria Stars!
Starting in 2013, the first Friday of May has been designated as School Lunch Hero Day. The day was established as a collaboration between the School Nutrition Association and New York Times bestselling author Jarrett J. Krosoczka, creator of the Lunch Lady graphic book series.
• Download & design a card with a thank-you note English | Español
• Download these coloring pages
• Finish these comic pages
• Draw a picture for your lunch hero
• Post to social media and use the hashtag #SchoolLunchHeroDay
A full set of the Lunch Lady Hero books is available in every VUSD elementary school library!
A full set of the Lunch Lady book series can be found in each elementary school library in Vista Unified, thanks to a grant received by WaveCrest Cafe that funded the purchase of the books. Mr. Krosoczka, in fact, visited Vista Unified in January 2015 as part of the district’s professional development day.
We can’t say enough about our team – people who care deeply about the job they do and the children they serve. We can say thank you over and over again to this incredible group of heroes, and we hope you’ll join us!
FARM 2 SCHOOL FOCUS – HARVEST OF THE MONTH
FEATURED FOOD: GRAPEFRUIT
Very few fruits are as bold and bright as grapefruit. It makes sense when you look at the history of the fruit and what makes it unique. For starters, botanists believe that it was originally a hybrid of two fruit species bred over 4,000 years ago in Asia. Grapefruit grows on evergreen trees, and unlike other citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes, it grows in grape-like clusters.
The grapefruit tree reaches 30 to 50 feet in height, although many farmers keep them trimmed back to 15 feet for easier access to the fruit. The more than 20 varieties are generally classified by the color of their fruits, which come in three shades: pink, red, or white and yellow. What’s more, ‘Red Ruby’ grapefruit was the first of the variety to receive a US patent in 1929.
As you can guess, grapefruit is packed with vitamin C, among other vitamins and minerals, and is an excellent source of fiber.
Home Grown
California ranks second in fresh grapefruit production in the United States, behind Florida. Although in our state, grapefruit can be grown year-round, making it available at any time. And more than 90% of all grapefruit in California is grown in just four counties: San Diego, Riverside, Tulare, and Imperial. Grapefruit is a vital (and delicious) part of our Farm to School program and a fresh, local item that we can serve up.
Recent farmers’ market activities at some of our elementary schools have featured fresh, seasonal grapefruit which also appears on our salad bars.
Reasons to Eat Grapefruit: One half of a medium grapefruit is:
• An excellent source of vitamin C
• A source of many other nutrients including: potassium, folate, thiamin, vitamin A, vitamin B6, and fiber
• Low in calories
Grapefruit is also a zesty and delicious way to have a snack, spice up a salad, or serve as a side item for many other entrees.
Learn more about grapefruit and discover how delicious they are. You can download our Harvest of the Month resources for families here.
If your child’s teacher wants to sign up for the program, it’s easy. For more information about the program, classroom tasting parties, and more, email Karolyn Wasung.
LOCALLY-SOURCED SPOTLIGHT:
ESPERANZA’S TORTILLERIA
In 1980 in nearby Escondido, Teresa and Victor Martinez founded Esperanza’s Tortilleria, and have operated the family-run business ever since. Esperanza’s supplies WaveCrest Cafe with fresh, whole wheat flour tortillas, corn tortillas, and tortilla chips used in several of our most popular entrees.
Teresa and Victor believe that all of their products, from tortillas to chips, tostadas, masa (dough) for tamales, and everything else, should be made using traditional techniques. Victor, originally from Guadalajara, Mexico, began working at another local business, El Charro Foods, also in Escondido.
After learning the craft of making delicious foods Victor and Teresa set out on their own and started Esperanza’s over 40 years ago. They have a well-earned reputation for the quality of their products as well as their service and care for their customers and clients.
And while you can find Esperanza’s products in grocery stores, restaurants, and catering kitchens across southern California, we’re proud to say that our favorite spot is at WaveCrest Cafe!
MENU SPOTLIGHT:
Chili Verde Pork Carnitas Burrito
This flavor-and-nutrient-packed item is fast becoming a favorite across every grade level. We start with tender, delicious pulled pork, and mix in a homemade blend of spices, and molcajete verde salsa. To complete the dish, we add some pepper jack and cheddar cheese and wrap it all up in a fresh, locally made whole wheat flour tortilla from Esperanza’s in nearby Escondido.
Add your favorite items from the salad bar, including our homemade salsa, locally grown avocados, and anything else you want for a delicious treat to power your learning all afternoon. With all of that care and tasty local food, it’s bound to be a hit!
Be sure to check your school’s menu to see your daily options and enjoy our fresh, healthy, and delicious meals!
*** Menus are subject to change based on ingredient availability and staffing needs.
WANT A JOB WITH PURPOSE? WE’RE HIRING!
If you’re looking for a job that lets you have fun and make a difference in the community, we’ve got one for you! With hours that don’t conflict with kids’ school schedules and a fantastic team of co-workers, WaveCrest Cafe may be just what you’re looking for. Work with a fantastic group of people and amazing students while fulfilling our mission to serve the best school meals.
Our team has the unique opportunity to interact with almost every student, every day. Those interactions make a big difference in our kids’ lives, and lead to long-lasting and meaningful friendships.
See all of our available positions here: https://wavecrestcafe.com/employment-opportunities/
No Cost for School Meals This Year!
We are thrilled to announce that there will be no cost for school meals in this 2022-23 school year. What’s more, there is no paperwork required for anyone, making meals not just available at no cost, but accessible for all.
Not only can families save plenty of money on food, but with meals ready at school, you’ll have more time to spend together as a family! As always, we are committed to serving fresh, healthy, delicious meals, and working with as many local and California-based farms as possible.
Join us for breakfast and lunch daily. Good nutrition leads to better learning, and we are here to serve up tasty and nutritious meals to power learning all year long.
*** With meals being offered at no charge, we are anticipating more students will be dining with us. This may affect the availability of some entrees as we learn and adapt to greater numbers and meeting the demand.
RESOURCES, GRANTS, AND EVENTS
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.
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.
Bonnie’s Plants 3rd Grade Cabbage Program – Rolling Dates
Bonnie’s provides free mega-cabbage plants to 3rd-grade teachers across the US who want to participate. Students grow the cabbages and submit pictures and measurements of their harvest to be considered for a $1,000 scholarship. Find out how to participate here.
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(C) 2023 WaveCrest Cafe / Vista Unified School District
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Esta institución es un proveedor de igualdad de oportunidades.