Arts Academy in the Woods
Teaching Kids the Importance of Health & Wellness
Arts Academy in the Woods Food Service Department is proud to be participating in Farm To Student serving healthy foods & promoting nutrition education!
AAW Local Wellness Policy
Apples | Pumpkins | Milk
Apples
Apples are the largest & most valuable crop grown in MI.
Michigan harvests 24 MILLION bushels of apples each year.
Michigan is home to over 14 MILLION apple trees.
Most apples are harvested & sold fresh.
36
apples makes 1 gallon of cider.
2,500+
21% of all harvested apples are juiced. varieties of apples are grown in the U.S.
Apples are one of the most widely cultivated tree fruits.
An apple blossom is the flower that comes from an apple tree.
Apple trees take at least 4 years to start producing fruit.
Fiber
Fiber supports movement through the digestive system.
Fiber is a type of carbohydrate that the body doesn’t digest, it simply passes through.
Soluble fiber dissolves in water…it helps regulate blood sugar levels and removes cholesterol from
Insoluble fiber is sometimes referred to as “roughage. ”
2 types of fiber:
1. Soluble fiber
Insoluble fiber
Fiber is ONLY found in plant foods.
Dairy & meat products do not have any fiber.
Fiber helps to regulate the body’s use of sugar.
Insoluble fiber does not dissolve in water…it helps food move throughout the digestive system.
BOTH forms of fiber are important & beneficial to overall health.
Pumpkins
Michigan harvests 4,500 acres of pumpkins per year. Michigan is the 4 producing state in the U.S.
Pumpkins are a type of because they grow on vines & have seeds.
Pumpkin pie is the most popular Thanksgiving dessert.
Pumpkins range in color from red, yellow, green & orange!
45+ varieties of pumpkins.
“LARGE MELON”
Potassium
Potassium supports balancing fluid in the body & proper function of the muscles and nerves.
Once potassium enters the body, it functions as an electrolyte.
Helps to keep the body hydrated!
Electrolytes help balance the amount of water in the body.
FUN FACT:
The body is made up of approximately
Potassium is the THIRD most abundant mineral in the body.
Potassium helps promote bone health.
Potassium helps to regulate muscle contractions.
98% of the body’s potassium is found it its cells.
Many runners eat foods high in potassium before a run to prevent muscle cramps
Michigan is home to 900+ dairy farms & 445,000 dairy cows.
11.6 BILLION lbs. of milk is produced in Michigan each year.
Nearly 98% of U.S. dairy farms are family owned & operated.
Breeds of Dairy Cows:
1. Ayrshire 2. Brown Swiss 3. Guernsey 4. Holstein 5. Jersey
6. Milking Shorthorn
Holstein cows all have a unique pattern of spots!
ALL 50
The U.S. produces ~21 BILLION gallons of milk each year.
1 cow produces around 6 gallons of milk per day. Milk is the source of ALL dairy products! Cows can SEE almost 360 degrees and SMELL up to 6 miles away!
Protein
Protein builds, maintains and replaces the tissues in the body.
Protein helps to transport & store nutrients throughout the body.
18 - 20% of the body is protein.
EVERY cell in the human body contains protein.
The body cannot store protein long term… which is why protein needs to be consumed daily.
Protein plays a big role in building and repairing muscles.
Protein is a MACRONUTRIENT . A macronutrient is a nutrient that the body needs in LARGE
Protein helps maintain fluid balance throughout the body.
