If your child came home raving about cabbage, it’s likely that there is a Harvest of the Month (HOTM) program in place at school.
HOTM provides materials for students, families, and community members to explore, taste, and learn about the importance of eating seasonal fruits and vegetables and being active every day. Each month, the program highlights a specific crop and provides resources for collaboration among educators, school nutrition staff, school administrators, students, parents, farmers, retail outlets, worksites, SNAP offices, after-school programs, and more. The goal is to help the community learn the value of eating seasonal fruits and vegetables.
HOTM reaches over 170 preschool through high school classrooms in Ukiah, and almost every elementary school in Lake County. Every month, students have the opportunity to taste and learn about that month’s harvest, including nutritional information and where it was sourced from.
Clearlake community members and families can find HOTM taste tests twice monthly at the food pantry and once monthly at Grocery Outlet and Ray’s Food Place put on by the BeFresh program of Lake Family Resource Center.
This month’s harvest: Kale
Lake County residents can find kale at Love Farm, Golden Rocks Permaculture Farm, and Leonardis Organics. Kale has made a name for itself in the health food world, and with good reason. Kale leaves pack more nutritional benefits for fewer calories than most any other food out there.
This cruciferous veggie comes in several varieties, some popular ones being curly, dino and purple. High in antioxidants, kale combats inflammation and keeps cholesterol levels in check. Kale has been shown to lower the risk for at least 5 different types of cancer, which include bladder, breast, colon, ovary, and prostate.
Flavor and nutrients are enhanced when kale is prepared properly. If you are eating it raw, massage lightly with olive oil. This helps break down some of the fibers for optimal nutrient absorption. This is also achieved by steaming or lightly sautéing.
This month’s harvest: Citrus
Aside from leafy green wonder kale, it’s the season for citrus. The citrus your child is taste testing came from Capay Valley and Blue Heron Farms in Yolo County. “They were delicious, juicy and big.” said Terry D’Selkie, Ukiah Unified School District Garden Program Coordinator about the organic navel oranges from Blue Heron Farms.
Blood oranges are also making their way into many classrooms this month. From the outside, blood oranges appear similar to a regular orange, but its name comes from the vibrant flesh that is exposed once peeled, ranging from a deep shade of orange to a reddish-purple color.
Their health benefits are similar too. Regular oranges are known for being rich in vitamin C, potassium, fiber, calcium, and antioxidants and blood oranges boast the same benefits and more. The ruby red pulp of a blood orange is caused by anthocyanins, the powerful antioxidant that makes berries a super food. This antioxidant is known to boost heart health and could reduce the risk of diabetes, cancer, and bacterial infections.
A juicy delight, blood oranges are typically a little bit sweeter and less acidic than regular oranges. Peel and enjoy like you would a regular orange. How else will you take advantage of this month’s crops? Perhaps you will throw together a citrus and kale smoothie, with the help of a frozen banana, yogurt, and coconut water. B
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