September Nutrition Newsletter
September 03rd, 2024
September 2024 WaveCrest Cafe Nutrition Newsletter
In this issue:
• Farm to School: A School Food Movement
• How Much Can School Meals Save You?
• Harvest of the Month: Dragon Fruit
• Featured Menu Item: Edamame Kung Pao Chicken
• Job & career opportunities
Farm to School: A School Food Movement
We talk about our Farm to School program a lot, and with good reason. For more than a decade, WaveCrest Cafe has been a leader in the Farm to School movement across California (and the nation).
In fact, Farm to School has grown from a program that we highlight to a way of approaching our entire nutrition department. We work with a diverse network of local and California farmers and food producers, to support school gardens, and provide nutrition education through programs like Harvest of the Month and our Farmers Market events at all elementary schools.
All of this enables us to provide ALL of our students the freshest, most nutritious meals available. School meals have come a long way (see the Tufts University study declaring school meals as the healthiest meals most Americans are eating).
We like to go beyond the basic guidelines and raise the bar, with a constantly evolving menu providing lots of options, to engaging student, staff, and community voices to constantly improve and refine what we do.
Join us for meals today and be part of the Farm to School movement across the country.
Student Meals Aren’t Just Free, They’re Saving Families Money
Student meals continue to be offered at no cost. There are numerous benefits to this, including connections to better academic performance, reduced absences, reduced food insecurity, eliminating the stigma for school meals, and equitable access to fresh foods.
On top of that, families are saving money. In fact, a conservative estimate shows that having students choose school meals can save a family over $1,100 per year, per child. Factoring in an average cost of $4 per lunch and $2.50 per breakfast, and multiplying that by the 180 instructional days of a school year, the savings add up.
Not only is there a significant financial benefit to families but thanks to our Farm to School program and work with local farms, students are offered a wide variety of fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables, including organic products, from partners like Dickinson Family Farms and Dassi Family Farms.
Join us for breakfast and lunch and enjoy fresh, healthy, delicious meals and the peace of mind of no-cost meals for all of our students.
MenuLogic K12 Makes Detailed
Nutrition Information Easy To Find!
Select your school, the meal, and the information you want to see
We are thrilled to work with MenuLogic K12 to provide an easy-to-access guide to our menus, nutrition information, and a list of allergens in any item.
Simply visit our menu page and scroll to the listing at each grade level that says, “Click here for all menu nutrition and allergen information.” The Menu Logic page lets you choose your school, and then see a detailed listing of all the nutrition and allergen information for every entree, side dish, and condiment.
Enjoy this quick, user-friendly resource!
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.
Harvest of The Month:
Available For Your Classroom
One of the most powerful nutrition education programs we have is called Harvest of the Month. Each month, participating classrooms receive samples of fresh, seasonal produce with lesson plans and activities that kids love.
We work with local farms to source the produce. Not only do students have fun and engaging ways to taste and learn about new foods, but they often get to learn about the nearby farms that grow the food they are eating. This makes a powerful impression in knowing that local, family farms are involved in making school meals tastier and healthier.
Any classroom in the district can participate, and the lessons and activities are already developed and ready to go. 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 Vanessa Luna.
September Harvest of the Month Featured Food:
Dragon Fruit (aka Pitaya) from Dickinson Family Farms
We’re starting off the year of Harvest of the Month with one of the most unique-looking foods around: Dragon Fruit. It is also known as pitaya or a strawberry pear. Dragon Fruit is a tropical fruit, which allows it to grow in San Diego’s climate. It has a vibrant pink exterior and a bold, white, or pink interior of the fruit with small seeds.
The taste of Dragon Fruit has been explained as a cross between a kiwi and pear, with the texture closer to kiwi while the flavor is more like the mildness of a pear. It can be served in many ways, including with yogurt, in a smoothie, on its own, or with lime juice sprinkled on top.
Dragon Fruit Facts
• Dragon Fruit grows on the Hylocereus cactus, which is also known as the Honolulu queen. The plant’s flowers only open at night and are pollinated by bats.
• Dragon fruit is grown around the world in tropical and subtropical areas, including the US, Mexico, Central and South America, East, South, and Southeast Asia, the Caribbean, and Australia.
• Dragon Fruit gets its name based on its appearance, with leather-like skin and spikes on the outside.
Dragon Fruit Nutrition Information
• Dragon Fruit is rich in iron, high in fiber, is a rich source of antioxidants, and can help boost immunity.
• Dragon fruit contains many vitamins and minerals including vitamin C, calcium, iron, and magnesium.
• Studies like this have shown that pitaya can exert several benefits in conditions such as diabetes, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer due to the presence of bioactive compounds that may include vitamins, potassium, betacyanin, p-coumaric acid, vanillic acid, and gallic acid.
Harvest of the Month Resources
Learn more about Dragon Fruit 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 Vanessa Luna.
Menu Spotlight: Edamame Kung Pao Chicken
This is a brand-new item on our menu and we’re excited to bring these bold, fresh flavors to schools. Tender chicken is mixed with veggies and a tangy, slightly spicy Kung Pao sauce and served with protein-packed edamame on a bed of rice.
You can add to this delectable dish by choosing from the many fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables from local California farms that are available at every meal.
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.
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.