D I G I T A L
M A G A Z I N E
OCTOBER 2026
Jenison & Hudsonville Public Schools Celebrating Local Food, Farmers & Nutrition Education!
E N R I C H M E N T
Three Great Districts, One Great Team!
“We feed the future”
Jenison & Hudsonville Public Schools serve over a million school meals each year!
Asparagus | Kiwi Berries | Apples | Blueberries
Vitamin K
Vitamin C
Fiber
B Vitamins
Asparagus Asparagus is a type of stem vegetable.
Asparagus is grown on around 4,900 farms across the U.S.
The harvesting period for asparagus lasts 70 - 80 days. Asparagus can reproduce for up to 20 years! In ideal conditions, asparagus can grow up to 10 inches a day! Watch asparagus grow!
Asparagus can be green, purple or white! White asparagus is grown without sunlight. The thicker the stem, the older the plant. If started from seed, asparagus takes up to three years to mature. Many farmers use 1 year old asparagus crowns to speed up the harvesting process.
Vitamin K Vitamin K supports proper blood function, bone growth & kidney health. 2 main forms of vitamin K: K1 and K2. Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin - which means…
The body has the ability to create vitamin K on its own.
Vitamin K helps the body heal from wounds.
It absorbs better into the body when eaten with foods with some fat like olive oil!
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.
Kiwi Berries Kiwi berries are a type of berry known for their small size, smooth skin & sweet-tart flavor. Kiwi berries belong to a group of plants called Actinidia that include 80+ species of climbing vines. Kiwi berries are sometimes called
Kiwi berries come in dozens of varieties with different colors, sizes & flavors. Most kiwi berries are harvested from late summer early fall.
hardy kiwis because their vines can survive cold winters.
Kiwi berry vines begin producing fruit around three to five years after planting.
Kiwi berry vines are perennial, meaning they can grow back year Kiwi berries grow on after year. long, climbing vines.
Vitamin C Vitamin C supports the immune system the body’s defense against infections.
ENERGY booster!
Vitamin C helps to heal wounds.
Vitamin C is also referred to as “ascorbic acid.”
Vitamin C helps keep you happy & healthy! 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.
What do you call a vitamin that improves your eyesight?
A Vitamin C! Vitamin C is a very important vitamin for healthy gums & teeth.
Apples Apples are one of the most widely cultivated tree fruits.
5
of the Most Popular Varieties of Apples:
Most apples are harvested & sold fresh.
The U.S. is home to approximately 322,000 acres of apple orchards.
1. Red Delicious 2. Gala 3. Granny Smith 4. Fuji 5. Golden Delicious
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There are
2,500+ different varieties of apples are grown in the U.S.
21% of apples are juiced.
Most apples are HAND-PICKED.
An apple blossom is the Apple trees take flower that 4 - 8 years to start comes from an producing fruit. apple tree.
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 the blood stream.
Insoluble fiber is sometimes referred to as “roughage.” Dairy & meat products do not have any fiber.
2
types of fiber:
1. Soluble fiber 2. Insoluble fiber
Fiber helps to regulate the body’s use of sugar.
Fiber is ONLY found in plant foods.
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.
Blueberries Blueberries are a type of berry known for their mildly tarte taste.
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Types of Blueberries:
The U.S. is home to around 102,000 acres of blueberries.
Blueberries are native to North America.
1. Highbush 2. Lowbush 3. Hybrid Half-High 4. Rabbiteye
JULY
is National Blueberry Month! Blueberries are one the only food naturally blue in color.
Highbush blueberries are the most common.
The waxy coating on blueberries is called “bloom.” 1 blueberry bush can produce 6,000 blueberries/year.
Lowbush blueberries are smaller & sweeter perfect for making jam!
B Vitamins B Vitamins help support the body’s energy levels, brain function & cell metabolism.
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essential B vitamins: Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B7, Vitamin B9 & Vitamin B12. Water is needed to help the body absorb B vitamins. B5, B12, C and E knock on your door…what do you do? In-Vitamin!
B vitamins help the body make energy from food. B vitamins help create red blood cells.
The body cannot store most B vitamins, so they need to be regularly consumed.
B vitamins play a role in serotonin production. Serotonin makes us feel happy.