I have always thought of kiwis as tropical fruits, but indeed they grow regionally in California! Our students are having the opportunity to taste and learn about kiwis this month through the Harvest of the Month program.
Not only will they be tasting them in the classroom, but they are being featured FOUR times on the school lunch menu! This is truly an exciting link between education in the classroom and in the lunch room!
* Cousous is also new on the school lunch menu this month!
Here are some ideas from Harvest of the Month for serving kiwis:
• Serve whole kiwis as an afternoon snack. They can be eaten like apples—with the skin.
• Make a pancake smiley face. Top pancakes with two kiwi slices for eyes and make a nose and mouth with a strawberry and banana.
• Slice two kiwis into calcium-rich lowfat yogurt or cottage cheese for an added sweet flavor.
Eating nutrient-rich foods like fruits and vegetables can help children do better in school. With Harvest of the Month, you can set a positive example and put your child on the road to health and learning success.
• Kiwis work great for tenderizing meat. Explain to your child that kiwis have an enzyme (proteins produced by living things, like fruit) that helps break down the meat to make it tender. Find a recipe to try this together.
• Ask your child to help you make a healthy fruit salad for dessert.
Reasons to Eat Kiwis
A 1⁄2 cup of sliced kiwis has lots of vitamin C and vitamin K. Vitamin C helps your body heal cuts and wounds and also helps lower the risk of infection. Eating kiwis is a good way to get fiber. Kiwis also have potassium, folate, beta-carotene, and lutein.