November 2024 Nutrition Newsletter
November 01st, 2024
In this issue:
• Share Your Voice! Take Our Fall Menu Survey
• Farm to School In The News: Farmers Markets
• Harvest of the Month: Finger Limes
• Featured Menu Item: Build Your Own Parfait & Blenderless Smoothies
• Job & career opportunities
Fall Menu Survey: We Want to Hear From You!
Your feedback fuels our program. Please take a few minutes and let us hear from you through our Fall 2024 Menu Survey. This anonymous form enables you to provide feedback, ideas, and suggestions on how we serve our Vista Unified Community.
• For the elementary school survey, click here
• For the middle and high school survey, click here
*** If you have children in multiple grade levels, feel free to make a note of that in the feedback section of either survey.
Whether you are a student, staff, parent, or family member, these surveys provide us with valuable information to help us continually improve our process. From the popularity of different entrees to understanding how we are serving our community, your participation is important.
Thank you for taking part in this process and letting us hear from you.
Farm to School In The News: Farmers Markets
We mentioned in last month’s newsletter that our annual Farmers Market program was starting, bringing an engaging, interactive learning experience to all of our elementary schools and, for the first time, two of our high schools.
Students at Alamosa Park, Breeze Hill, Monte Vista, and T.H.E. Leadership Academy elementary schools all enjoyed wonderful visits from our friends at Food 4 Thought. In addition, Murray High School hosted an event that welcomed our farmer partner and students from Alta Vista High School.
Local news sources covered the events, with ABC10 airing a brief segment on its evening news, and two local news websites publishing stories and pictures from the events. Click either link to see the stories.
November Harvest of the Month Featured Food:
Finger Limes
November’s featured item for Harvest of the Month is finger limes. Often called the “caviar of fruit” finger limes are a tasty and fun treat to accent any meal and they stand out in a crowd.
For starters, finger limes are oblong in shape in contrast to traditional limes that are more in the shape of a ball. Also different from traditional limes, finger limes don’t need to be cut open. Bending them in the middle will break them open for a tasty treat that may surprise you. Instead of being formed in sections, small spheres of tart, tangy, tastiness burst out from the fruit. This is why they are sometimes called the caviar of fruit.
Finger limes are an ancient fruit that was first seen in Australia, where it was known as “Bush Fruit.” They grow on trees that can be up to ten feet tall, and it takes the trees three years to start to produce fruit.
Our Harvest of the Month classrooms will be conducting taste tests and lessons featuring finger limes from Dickinson Family Farms from Fallbrook.
Here is a little more information about finger limes:
Why eat finger limes?
They contain antioxidants that boost your immune system and can even fight against cancer. Finger limes contain 30% of the daily recommended amount of vitamin C. They also:
• Keep your skin healthy and strong
• Keep you hydrated
• Are rich in vitamin E, which helps keep your immune system strong
• Are high in fiber to keep your stomach happy
• Have lots of vitamin A to keep your eyes healthy
Finger Lime Information
When picking finger limes, look for the brightest colors for the freshest fruit. Don’t worry about small brown spots as long as the skin is bright
When eating finger limes, squeeze from the bottom of the fruit upward to push the fruit up and out
Finger limes are a great garnish for salads or any meal that needs a tart, fruity accent, including sushi and seafood or desserts
Squeeze finger lime fruit and juice into water for a refreshing twist of flavor
Harvest of the Month Resources
Learn more about Finger Limes with your class during a Harvest of the Month activity. Harvest of the Month is available for any classroom that wants to participate. 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 Aleeza Hendershot.
No Cost For Student Meals!
California is one of seven states across the country that has made school meals available at no cost to all students! In addition to providing fresh, healthy, delicious foods to our students, there is no paperwork required.
Menu Spotlight: Build Your Own Parfait & Blenderless Smoothies
Breakfast at Lunch options have always been popular. Combine that knowledge with the fact that parfaits and smoothies are increasing in popularity, and two of our fall menu options come into focus.
This fall we introduced a Build Your Own Parfait entree at elementary schools, while middle and high schools have enjoyed the Blenderless Smoothie with a Cinnamon Raisin Bagel and Cream Cheese.
Fresh, vibrant fruit flavors are combined with protein-packed yogurt for a hearty yet refreshing lunchtime option that includes a selection of fresh, seasonal fruits and veggies and whole grain goodness.
Be sure to check your school’s menu for the full selection of items and your daily favorites.
*** Menus are subject to change based on ingredient availability and staffing needs.
From The Website: 2 Breakfasts are Better Than None
A study in the medical journal Pediatric Obesity suggests that students who eat one or even two breakfasts on a regular basis are less likely to develop childhood obesity.
According to the study, “Weight gain among students who ate ‘double-breakfast’ was no different than that seen among all other students. Meanwhile, the risk of obesity doubled among students who skipped breakfast or ate it inconsistently.”
The effect of breakfast is to help increase metabolism at the start of the day. The article goes on to state that the study, “‘debunks an important misconception that school breakfast contributes to childhood obesity,’ says Duke Storen from Share Our Strength, a national group that runs anti-hunger and nutrition programs for children.”
WaveCrest Cafe is happy to serve fresh, healthy, and delicious breakfasts in all of our school locations. We also work with many schools in the district to offer a “second chance breakfast” during an extended passing period in the morning to give students a chance to fuel their bodies to start the day.
Join us for a tasty, nutritious breakfast today and every school day. Check your menu to see what we’re serving.
Read more about the study here: http://wavecrestcafe.com/news/2-breakfasts-better-than-none/
Salad Bars at WaveCrest Cafe
Did you know that every elementary school and some middle and high schools have salad bars stocked with fresh, seasonal fruits & veggies and our homemade condiments like salsa and low-fat buttermilk ranch dressing? And every school has those fresh foods available for meals each and every day.
Build Your Perfect Plate
With all of the amazing food offered, we encourage our students (and staff) to build the plate that they want. Whether adding your favorite toppings to a burger, decorating tamales and tacos with just the right mix of salsa and veggies, or adding fresh fruit to a salad, these options are offered every day.
We encourage you to make the most of everything that’s offered and build your own perfect plate.
We’re Hiring!
Join Our Amazing Team.
School nutrition is an extremely rewarding job. You can be part of the nation’s largest restaurant group, serving tasty and nutritious meals to our children each and every day. What’s more, you’ll meet amazing people who are skilled, dedicated, and passionate about their roles.
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/
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.
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.
Follow us on social media:
(C) 2024 WaveCrest Cafe / Vista Unified School District
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Esta institución es un proveedor de igualdad de oportunidades.