The School District of Osceola County’s School Nutrition Services is committed to enhancing education by providing
Celebrating local food, local farms & nutrition education!
Florida is the 4th producing state in the U.S.
2 types of squash:
Winter squash has much harder skin than summer squash.
Butternut squash take around 110 days to mature after planting.
Butternut squash is a around inches tall
Squash are a type of fruit!
Butternut squash are in season during the fall & winter. Squash are related to melons!
Despite the name, winter squash warm seasons.
Southern Corporate was started 40+ years ago by Brian Arrigo.
Southern Corporate does 10,000+ shipments annually.
Southern Corporate is a packer & shipper of fruits
Southern Corporate offers a variety of fruits & vegetables.
9 farms across the U.S. that allows them to offer their produce round.
Trenton, Florida.
Southern Corporate’s head office .
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 K supports proper blood function, bone growth & kidney health. The body has the ability to create vitamin K on its own.
2 main forms of vitamin K: K1 and K2.
Vitamin K is a fat-soluble which means… It absorbs better into the body when eaten with foods with some fat like olive oil or avocados!
Vitamin K helps the body heal from wounds.
Vitamin K helps produce proteins that bind themselves to calcium - this helps build strong bones.
Vitamin K supports heart health.
Vitamin K is found throughout the body in the liver, brain, heart, pancreas & bones.
Vitamin K plays a role in proper blood function- specifically with clotting.
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.
3. Valencia 3 oranges are harvested by hand.
Orange season is 9 months long! October - June!
tropical conditions for growing oranges.
Oranges need a lot of sunshine warm temperatures.
Vitamin C supports the immune systemthe body’s defense against infections.
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?
Vitamin C is a very important vitamin for healthy gums & teeth.
Florida is most commonly known for 3 main types of apples: Anna, Dorsett Garden & Tropic Sweet.
Most apples that are grown in Florida are grown in the northern & central parts of the state.
21% of all harvested apples are juiced.
apples makes 1 gallon of cider.
2,500
varieties of apples are grown in the United States.
All of the U.S. produces 250 million bushels of apples each year.
An apple blossom is the flower that comes from an apple tree.
An apple tree takes at least 4 years to start producing fruit.
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.
Florida is known for their sand pears, also known as Asian pears.
Pears used to be called “butter fruit” because of their soft texture.
Over 3,000 varieties of pears.
Pear trees can grow to be 30-40 feet tall.
Pears prefer to grow in cooler climates
Pears are a part of the rose family.
Pear tree wood is often used to make musical instruments. pears are picked HAND. The most fruit.
Common types of pears: , Bosc, Comice & Forelle.
Potassium supports balancing fluid & proper function of the
Once potassium enters the body, it functions as an electrolyte
Electrolytes help amount of water in the body.
Potassium is THIRD most abundant mineral in the body.
Potassium helps promote 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
Lafayette and Okeechobee are Florida’s leading dairy counties.
Most of the dairy cows in Florida are Holsteins (the black and white cows), and their spots are unique like a fingerprint!
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.
provides a powerful package of support your overall health?
Calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D in dairy help build and maintain strong bones and teeth.
The high-quality protein found in dairy foods aids in building and repairing muscles.
B vitamins in dairy help convert food into fuel, ensuring you have the energy needed throughout the day.
Starting the day with a nutritious breakfast that includes dairy helps fuel learning!
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
