Nutrition Education
Sarah Flint, Lori Hale, Kristi Trahan
Welcome to our recipe and lessons page
CalFresh Statement
The CalFresh Program, federally known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), issues monthly electronic benefits that can be used to buy most foods at many markets and food stores. The CalFresh Program helps to improve the health and well-being of qualified households and individuals by providing them a means to meet their nutritional needs.
Nutrition Educators-Lori Hale, Sarah Flint, and Kristi Trahan
Healthy Tips
Try adding berries to your cereal for extra nutrition.
Create fun snacks.
Make a plate of your favorite fruits. Eat a rainbow!
LESSONS 1-7
Lesson 1 APPLES
- Apples contain fiber for a healthy gut!
- California ranks fifth in commercial apple production in the United States.
- California farmers grow many varieties including the Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Gala, Fuji, Granny Smith, McIntosh, Rome, Jonathon, and Pink Lady right here in Kern County, as well as neighboring counties like Fresno and Madera!
- Half of apples that are consumed are in other forms such as applesauce, jelly or jam, or juice.
Lesson 2: Tomatoes
Tomato facts:
75 % of all tomatoes are grown in CA (95% of processing tomatoes)
- Good source of Vitamin A, C, K
- 4,000 + varieties
- Botanically, a fruit. However, in 1893, the U.S. Supreme Court declared it a vegetable (because of taxing laws on veggies)
- Over the years, the tomato has had many names: “love apple,” “golden apple,” “apple of paradise”
- Varieties include heirlooms, green, orange, and yellow tomatoes.
- Yellow and orange tomatoes tend to be sweeter than red and green varieties; only red tomatoes contain a red pigment, contain LYCOPENE a healthy antioxidant.
Lesson 3 - PEARS recipe: Fruit Crunch Cobbler
Pear facts:
There are 3,000 varieties of pears worldwide.
The California pear harvest begins in mid-July and continues through September.
The Bartlett Pear is America’s favorite pear.
Pears ripen better off the tree and from the inside out.
Pears are best when eaten with the peel, as that is where most of the fiber and antioxidants are found.
Good source of vitamin C and fiber.
The wood of pear trees is one of the preferred materials in the manufacture of high quality woodwind instruments.
Lesson 4 - PERSIMMONS recipe: Persimmon Salad
Did you know.....
- There are around 2000 varieties of persimmon, only 2 that are commercially grown
- Persimmon typically grow from September to December
- Persimmon originated in China
- They are rich in fiber
- Their skin is edible
Lesson 5 ORANGES/MANDARINS recipe: Breakfast Fruit Cup
- Oranges are an excellent source of Vitamin C.
- Navel and Valencia oranges are the main varieties grown in California.
- Oranges do not continue to ripen after they are picked off their tree.
- The first Navel tree was brought to the United States in 1873 from Brazil.
Lesson 6 BROCCOLI recipe: Broccoli Salad
Did you know....
- Broccoli contains Vitamins C and K, is full of fiber and antioxidants
- Produced mostly in China, but California is the #1 producer in the United States
- Usually is green in color, but can be white or purple
- Takes around 50-100 days to the plant to mature
- Can grow year round in any weather
Lesson 7 Carrots recipe: Vegetable Medley with Salsa Dip
Did you know.....
Sweet Potatoes are an excellent source of Vitamin A and Vitamin C
Sweet Potatoes are a root vegetable
Yes, sweet potatoes are different than yams! Sweet Potatoes are sweet and yams are dry and starchy. Basically sweet potatoes are more nutrient dense.
Sweet Potatoes are high in beta carotene-good for cell growth, vision, and maintaining vital organs such as your heart, lungs, and kidneys!
23 cups of broccoli= 1 sweet potato (Vitamin A)
California is 3rd in sweet potato production
Can be eaten boiled, baked, steamed, or fried…
Skin can be a variety of colors: beige, orange, pink, red, violet, purple, white, and yellow.
LESSON 8: Blueberries
LESSON 9 : Avocados
· Avocado contain good fats.
· Good fats are nutrients that help make cells and help with the absorption of certain vitamins and minerals.
· They are an excellent source of fiber.
· They grow on a tree (pictured).
· The trees can grow up to 80 feet tall and produce 400 avocados per year.
· California grows 90 percent of the United States avocado crop.
· The first avocado tree came to the United States in 1833.
Physical Activity
Physical Activity-Power Moves
Did you know?
Cabbage has Vitamins C & K, fiber, folate, potassium, & magnesium?
Did you know asparagus comes in 3 different colors?
Artichoke could help regulate your blood pressure?
Health and Wellness Links
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Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.