Orange County Public Schools, FL - Farm to Student 2024/2025
Nutrition is our Mission
OCPS Food and Nutrition Services provides access to quality, nutritious, meals in a customer friendly environment; to enhance and support all students and educator’s ability to achieve academic excellence while forming lifelong healthy eating habits.
A Special Thank You to…
For providing Orange County Public Schools all of their FRESH BAKED sliced bread and buns.
C elebratin g local food, local farmers & nutrition education!
Bell Peppers Sweet Corn
Satsumas Green Beans Tomatoes
Oranges
Blueberries
Strawberries Cucumbers FL Dairy
Florida
Bell Peppers
Florida produces over 300 MILLION pounds of bell peppers each year.
Most bell peppers are harvested by hand. Bell peppers can be 2 to inches long.
sweet peppers.
Florida produces around 30% of all bell peppers grown in the U.S.
Bell peppers are in the same family as tomatoes, eggplant, and potatoes.
Bell peppers are a F R U I T.
ALL bell peppers are GREEN before they ripen.
Bell peppers transition from green to yellow to orange to red depending on how long they ripen.
Bell peppers get sweeter the longer they ripen.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A supports good vision, growth & immunity
Vitamin A helps see better at night more vivid colors during the day
How far can you read down this eye chart?
Vitamin A has antioxidant properties.
Vitamin A can help speed up the healing process of cuts & scraps.
Vitamin A supports the immune system to fight off infections.
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin.
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin – which means it absorbs better into the body when eaten with foods with some fat like avocados!
Sweet Corn
Florida is the largest producer of fresh market sweet corn in the U.S.
The U.S. is the LARGEST producer, consumer & exporter of corn in the world.
Humans only eat sweet corn
Florida is home to 37,000+ acres of sweet corn. Palm Beach County produces over 50% of Florida’s sweet corn.
In many other countries, corn is called “maize
1 corn stalk produces 1 - 3 ears of corn
Corn stalks can grow between 7 – 10 feet tall.
An ear of corn ALWAYS
There are around 800 kernels on each ear of corn. field crop.
R.C. Hatton Farms
R.C. Hatton Farms started in only several hundred acres of land.
R.C. Hatton Farms is now home to 8,000 acres of land.
Founded by Robert C. Hatton.
R.C. Hatton Farms has developed M A N Y different kinds of sweet corn.
Located in Pahokee, Florida. in Florida.
Paul Allen & his son Johnathan currently run R.C. Hatton Farms.
R.C. Hatton Farms’ location is known for having some of the M O S T fertile soil in the U.S.
Green Beans
Florida ranks 2nd in the U.S. for production of green beans.
Try growing green beans in your garden!
Green beans are the 3rd most homegrown vegetable.
In the winter, Florida produces 100% of the green beans grown in the U.S.
Bush & pole are the 2 main types of green beans. = 130+ varieties of green beans.
yellow or purple!
Green beans are also known as string or snap beans.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C supports the immune systemthe body’s defense against infections.
ENERGY booster!
Vitamin C is also referred to as “ascorbic acid.”
Vitamin C is an antioxidant. Antioxidants help protect against damage caused by exposure to harmful substances in the environment.
The body cannot make vitamin C on its own - it has to come from food.
Vitamin C helps keep you happy & healthy! What do you call a vitamin that improves your eyesight?
A Vitamin C!
Vitamin C is a very important vitamin for healthy gums & teeth.
Satsumas
Most satsumas grown in Florida are October
Satsumas are a category of citrus fruits that mandarins
“Easy
Peelers”
Satsumas are easier to peel than most other citrus fruit.
Satsumas make for a perfect snack!
Satsuma trees take around years to start producing fruit.
Satsuma trees are evergreen. Satsumas are one of the most resilient citrus fruits to cold weather.
Cherokee Ranch
Cherokee Ranch is a familyoperated satsuma grove.
The Glass family – the family behind Cherokee Satsumas.
Cherokee Ranch is a 6generation family operation.
Cherokee Ranch was started in …over 100 years ago!
Home to 600 satsuma trees planted in 2002.
Cherokee Ranch provide their satsumas to 10 counties in Florida. Visitors are welcome to purchase freshly picked satsumas at the farm!
“Good food, grown by good farmers, for good people.”
Cherokee Ranch is located in Marianna, Florida.
Florida
Tomatoes
FL accounts for 50% of all fresh tomatoes grown in the U.S. Florida is ranked the #1 state for growing fresh tomatoes.
3
Popular Types of Tomatoes:
1. Cherry
2. Grape
3. Roma
93% Americans grow tomatoes in their own garden.
Tomatoes come in a variety of colors including yellow, purple, black & white.
“Wolf
peach”
Botanically, tomatoes are a fruit!
Tomatoes are grown in ALL 50 states!
Over
10,000 varieties
Tomatoes are at peak harvest July – September
Tomatoes are a warm season crop that love the sun.
Potassium
Potassium supports balancing fluid & proper function of the
Once potassium enters the body, electrolyte
Electrolytes help amount of water in the body.
FUN FACT:
Potassium is the THIRD most abundant mineral in the body.
Potassium helps bone health.
The body is made up of approximately 60% water.
Potassium helps to regulate muscle contractions.
98% of the body’s potassium is found in its cells.
Many runners eat foods high in potassium before a run to prevent muscle cramps
Florida
Oranges
More then 90% of America’s orange juice comes from Florida oranges.
Popular Types of Oranges:
1. Navel
2. Hamlin
600+ varieties of oranges.
85% of oranges are produced for making juice.
Orange season is 9 months long! October - June!
3. Valencia 3 oranges are harvested by hand.
tropical conditions for growing oranges.
Oranges need a lot of sunshine warm temperatures.
Florida Classic
Florida Classic was founded as a part of Dundee Citrus Growers Association (CGA).
Florida Classic packs, ships & promotes a full line of citrus grown by Dundee CGA.
Dundee CGA grows citrus fruit on 10,000+ acres of land. offers a wide variety of citrus well as blueberries & peaches!
Florida Classic has been around for 100 years. Dundee CGA is one the LARGEST groups of citrus farmers in the Florida citrus industry.
Florida Classis has 2 packing facilities Dundee & Lake Hamilton, FL.
Blueberries
Florida is home to over 5,200 acres of blueberry fields. Florida produces around 20 million pounds of blueberries per year.
Blueberries are grown commercially in 38 states.
Highbush blueberries are the most common type of blueberry.
Florida blueberry season is from Marchearly May.
1 blueberry bush can produce 6,000 blueberries/year.
Lowbush blueberries are commonly used to make jam.
The waxy coating on blueberries is called “bloom. ” Blueberries the ONLY food that are naturally blue in color.
Wish Farms
Both farms offer berries that are in season year-round. Wish Farms was started in 1987 & Driscoll’s was started in the late 1800’s.
Driscoll’s and
The blueberries served at OCPS are from Wish Farms & Driscoll’s.
Wish Farms & Driscoll’s are both family-owned farms and businesses.
Wish Farms and Driscoll’s both grow blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries & pineberries
Wish Farms is located in Plant City, Florida.
Driscoll’s Florida location is in Dover, Florida.
Strawberries
Plant City, Florida is known as the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World.
One acre of land can produce 50,000 pounds of strawberries.
Peak harvesting season
are the FIRST fruit to ripen in the spring.
1. June-bearing 2. Ever-bearing 3. Day-neutral
Strawberries: 3 strawberry has 200 seeds.
Strawberries are the ONLY fruit with seeds on the outside.
Strawberries are a part of the rose family.
Grimes Farms Driscoll’s and
The strawberries served at OCPS are from Grimes Farms & Driscoll’s
Both farms grow organic strawberries.
Driscoll’s was started in the late 1800’s. Grimes Farms was started in 197 5.
Grimes Farms & Driscoll’s are both family-owned farms and businesses.
Driscoll’s ONLY grows BERRIE S
Grimes Farms is located in Plant City, Florida
Driscoll’s Florida strawberry farm is located in Dover, Florida.
Water is needed to help the body absorb B vitamins.
B5, B12, C and E knock on your door…what do you do? blood cells.
B vitamins helps the body make energy from food.
cannot store most B vitamins, so they need to be regularly consumed.
B vitamins plays a role in serotonin production.
Serotonin makes us feel happy
Milk
Lafayette and Okeechobee are Florida’s leading dairy counties.
FUN FACTS
Most of the dairy cows in Florida are Holsteins (the black and white cows), and their spots are unique like a fingerprint!
DAIRY FACTS
Cows chew their cud 50 times per minute.
How many times can chew in a minute?!
Cows can SEE almost and SMELL up to 6 miles away!
Most Florida dairy herds range 150 -
Florida dairy farmers byproducts such as citrus pulp, brewers’ grain and whole cottonseed that are consumed by the cows instead of ending up in landfills.
A Florida dairy cow produces about 68 gallons of milk each day.
M&B Dairy
M&B Dairy is a 4th-generation family dairy farm that is home to over 700 dairy cows the dairy industry through all aspects of their production.
M&B Dairy is currently run by Dale McClellan.
Located in Lecanto, FL.
M&B Dairy prioritizes COMFORT for their cows with open-air barns and rubber mats in stalls.
“Buffy the Cow” is M&B Dairy’s mascot.
M&B Dairy provides milk to over 32 school districts in Florida.
M&B Dairy was started in the 1950s.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program provides funding to participating schools so they can provide a variety of free fresh fruits and vegetables to children throughout the school day. It is an effective and creative way to introduce fresh fruits and vegetables as healthy snack options. The Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program also encourages schools to develop partnerships at the state and local level for support in implementing and operating the program. We serve a variety of fruits and vegetables that students love and are familiar with but also new varieties that students try for the first time with the program such as dino egg melons, jicama sticks, kissable red apples, heirloom tomatoes, pumelo, medjool dates, and much more.
The GOALS of the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program are to:
• Create healthier school environments by providing healthier food choices.
• Expand the variety of fruits and vegetables children experience.
• Increase children's fruit and vegetable consumption.
The following OCPS schools are participating in the FFVP program:
Arbor Ridge School K-8, Castle Creek ES, Cheney ES, Conway ES, Cypress Springs ES, Eccleston ES, Englewood ES, Hungerford ES, Ivey Lane ES, Killarney ES, Lake George ES, Lake Sybelia ES, Lancaster ES, Lovell ES, Meadow Woods ES, Millennia Gardens ES, Oakshire ES, Pine Hills ES, Riverdale ES, Shingle Creek ES, Tangelo Park ES, Three Points ES, Union Park ES, Ventura ES, Washington Shores ES, Waterbridge ES, and West Oak ES.
Word Search
Florida Green Beans Blueberries
Satsumas Strawberries
Bell Peppers Tomatoes Cucumbers
Sweet Corn Agriculture Oranges Milk
Crossword Puzzle
Down:
1. R.C. Hatton is one of the largest _____ growers in Florida.
3. Florida Classic offers a wide variety of _____.
5. _____ Farms is a multi-generational, year-round berry farm and business.
6. B vitamins support the body’s _____ levels.
7. Potassium supports balancing ____ in the body.
Across:
2. M&B Dairy prioritizes _____ for their cows.
4. Vitamin A supports good _____.
8. Vitamin C supports the _____ system.
9. _____ is the largest berry distributor in the world.
10. Cherokee Ranch is a familyowned & operated _____ grove.
Matching Game
M & B Dairy
R.C. Hatton
Florida Classic
Potassium
Wish Farms
B Vitamins
IN A CUP
Let’s shake some BUTTER!
2 cups cold heavy whipping cream 1 ounce plastic cups with lids
Pour 2 tablespoons of heavy cream into each portion cup. Place the lid on each cup, and distribute to students.
Shake the container until butter forms a soft lump. Continue to shake until buttermilk separates out of the lump and the container contains a solid lump of butter and liquid buttermilk. The process should take 3 to 5 minutes.
To strain, pour off or drink the buttermilk, leaving only the solid butter.
OPTIONAL: Remove the lump of butter, and wrap it in plastic wrap. Refrigerate until you are ready to serve.
For more information, visit FloridaMilk.com/in-the-schools
