2025/2026 EDITION
Lakeview School District
Lakeview School District’s Food Service Department is proud to offer custom LEARN MORE enrichment—delivering year-round nutrition education based on the foods served in their lunchrooms!
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are considered to be both a fruit & a vegetable!
1. Cherry
2. Grape
3. Roma
MANY Americans grow tomatoes in their own garden.
12,000+ TONS of fresh market tomatoes are grown/year in the U.S.
Tomatoes take 60 - 100 days to grow from seed to fruit.
Botanically, tomatoes are a season crop that LOVE the sun.
Potassium
balancing fluid in the body & proper function of the muscles and nerves
Once potassium enters the body, it functions as an electrolyte.
Electrolytes help amount of water in the body.
Helps to keep the body
FUN FACT: The body is made up of approximately
Potassium helps to regulate the
Potassium helps to regulate contractions.
Many runners eat foods high in potassium like apples before a run to prevent muscle cramps.
Watermelon
Watermelon is a type of fruit that is a part of the gourd family
Watermelons are related to cucumbers
Watermelons are harvested by hand
There are over 1,200 varieties watermelon.
Watermelons are technically a fruit AND a vegetable.
JULY is National
Watermelons take 90 days to grow from seed to fruit.
Seedless watermelon are the most popular.
Watermelon Month!
Watermelons are 92% water.
Watermelons are grown in 96+ countries worldwide.
Hydration
Hydration is the process of replacing fluids Water is the body’s main source of hydration.
Being hydrated helps convert food into energy
Hydration helps regulate body’s temperature
The body’s 6 essential nutrients: carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals & WATER !
Water helps carry nutrients & oxygen to all the cells in the body.
Proper hydration can help to improve moods.
The body is better at fighting off when properly hydrated.
Sleep quality can improve when the body is hydrated.
Many fruits & vegetables have a high water content, making them hydrating to eat.
Thank A Farmer!
October is Farm to School Month
Lakeview School District is celebrating Farm to School Month by serving local food, providing agriculture and nutrition education and celebrating their local farmers!
Blueberries
Michigan is the #1 blueberry producing state in the Midwest!
Michigan grows over 100 million pounds of blueberries every year!
Types of 1. Highbush 2. Lowbush
3. Rabbiteye 4. Half
4 Highbush blueberries are the most common type of blueberry.
Blueberries are native North America.
The waxy coating on blueberries is called “bloom.”
1 blueberry bush can produce 6,000 blueberries/year.
JULY is National Blueberry Month!
Blueberries are one the only food naturally blue in color.
Lowbush blueberries are smaller & sweeterperfect for making jam!
Peterson Farms
Peterson Farms was started by Earl & his wife Linda in 1972.
Earl Peterson of Peterson Farms.
Peterson Farms works with over 50 farms across the U.S. to supply their fruit.
Peterson Farms FIRST farm was located in Oceana Co, Michigan.
Peterson Farms processes 150 MILLION pounds of fresh à frozen fruit each year.
Peterson Farms is headquartered in Shelby, Michigan.
Peterson Farms supplies apples, blueberries, cherries.
Butternut Squash
Butternut squash is a type of they grow on vines & have seeds.
2 types of squash:
Butternut squash are known for having a sweet & nutty flavor.
Butternut squash is a to be around inches tall
Butternut squash are in season during the fall & winter.
Despite the name, winter squash warm seasons.
Manganese
Manganese supports the body’s energy protecting its cells from damage.
Manganese is a trace mineral the body only needs small amounts of it.
Minerals, like manganese naturally
Foods like squash absorb minerals through their roots.
Manganese helps Manganese is
helps the body blood clots helping wounds heal faster!
the body’s defense against infections.
Apples
Michigan is home to over 14 MILLION apple trees.
Michigan harvests 24 MILLION of apples each year.
Michigan apples are in season from June. apples are
Apples are the largest & most valuable crop grown in MI.
2,500+
Most apples are HAND-PICKED.
An apple tree takes at least 4 years to start producing fruit.
varieties of apples are grown in the United States.
The U.S. produces 250 million bushels of apples/year.
An apple blossom is the flower that comes from an apple tree.
Applewood Orchards
Applewood Orchards is a 4th-generation family-owned & operated farm.
Applewood Orchards was founded in 1935 by Walter E. Swindeman.
“From root to fruit, enjoy some of Michigan's finest apples!”
Applewood Orchards built one of the first controlled atmosphere (C.A) storage rooms in the U.S. C.A. storage rooms allow Applewood Orchards to supply apples year-round.
Applewood Orchards is located in Deerfield, MI.
Cabbage
Cabbage is a type of cruciferous vegetable.
Cabbage is closely related to other cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, kale & cauliflower.
Cabbage has been harvested for over 6,000 years making it one of the OLDEST vegetables in existence.
Cabbage can grow up to 6 feet tall.
Cabbage leaves have a waxy coating.
400+ varieties of cabbage.
Types of Cabbage:
“coldweather veggie. ”
Early cabbage takes days cabbage takes 87 days.
The most popular varieties of cabbage:
2.
3.
1. Green Cabbage
Red Cabbage
Savoy Cabbage
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.
Word Search
Word Scramble Farm to School Month
SMRFAER KRCO
CIREUGTUALR RAGDEN TVSAHRE
OTCTRRA MYTUNMCIO
CAOLL RPOSC
INITOTNUR BROCOTE LOCHOS
Pumpkins
Pumpkins are a type of fruit because they grow on vines & have seeds. Pumpkins are related to melons.
Pumpkins are 90% water.
Pumpkins range in color from red, yellow, green & orange!
45+ varieties of pumpkins.
“LARGE melon”
The U.S. produces over 1.5 BILLION pounds of pumpkins each year. crop is available
OCTOBER.
Copper
Copper supports the creation of red blood cells
Most copper in the body is found in the liver, brain, kidneys & skeletal muscles.
Copper helps the brain function properly.
Foods like because their plants roots absorbed them.
Copper is known as an essential nutrient
Copper plays a role in helping the body turn food in energy!
Kiwifruit
Kiwifruit is a type of true berry – a type of berry that grows from one singular flower.
MILLION TONS
growing season of 240 days.
Kiwifruits grow on vines that can reach up to 33 feet long.
Kiwifruit vines can produce fruit for 25+ years.
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
Fiber helps to regulate the body’s use of sugar.
Insoluble fiber
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.
Dairy & meat products do not have any fiber.
Chickpeas
Chickpeas are a type of legume, which means they grow in pods like peas & beans.
There are two main types of chickpeas: Desi & Kabuli.
Chickpeas are the main ingredient used to make hummus & falafels.
Chickpeas grow in pods
Chickpeas are also commonly called “garbanzo beans.”
Chickpeas take 90120 days to grow from seed to harvest.
Most chickpeas are harvested once the plant has dried in the field.
Chickpeas prefer to grow in drier regions.
Chickpeas grow on short, bushy plants.
Chickpea plants grow to be feet tall
B Vitamins
B Vitamins help support the body’s energy levels, brain function & cell metabolism
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? blood cells.
B vitamins helps the body make energy from food.
B vitamins plays a role in serotonin production.
Serotonin makes us feel happy
Milk is a type of dairy product –most commonly made from cows. essential nutrients
Milk is made up of 85-95% water with the rest being fats, proteins, carbohydrates & vitamins
Breeds of Dairy Cows: 6
1. Ayrshire
2. Brown Swiss
3. Guernsey
4. Holstein
5. Jersey
6. Milking Shorthorn
Holstein cows all have a unique pattern of spots!
1 cow produces around 6 gallons of milk per day. 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 is made
blocks.
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.
Eat Good .
Feel Good .
Do Good .
March is National Nutrition Month
Let’s celebrate! National Nutrition Month is all about making informed food choices and developing healthful eating habits. a time to learn how to keep our bodies strong and healthy! Eating nutritious foods like fruits, veggies, whole grains and proteins gives us energy to play, learn and grow.
Kumquats
Kumquats are a small type of citrus fruit known for their sweet and sour taste.
Nagami kumquats are the most common variety grown in the U.S.
Kumquats grow on evergreen trees that range from 5 - 8 feet tall.
“
Golden Orange
One kumquat tree can produce THOUSANDS The kumquat is the sweetest of the fruit.
gold gem of the citrus family.”
Unlike most citrus fruits, you can eat the peel of a kumquat!
Kumquat trees bloom with small white flowers in late spring & early summer. release a natural oil that makes them even sweeter than they already are!
Kumquat trees prefer to grow in full sun.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A supports good vision, growth & immunity
Vitamin A helps to 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 of cuts & scrapes.
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!
Radishes
Radishes are a type of root vegetableedible plants that grow underground.
The name radish comes from the Latin word which means
Red Globe are the most common variety of radish.
Radishes come in many different shapes & sizes.
Radishes are cool season vegetables.
Radishes are a root vegetable.
Radishes need full sun
Radishes grow very fast – taking only 25 days to grow from seed to harvest ready vegetable.
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.
Vitamin C helps keep you happy & healthy that improves your eyesight?
A Vitamin C!
Vitamin C is a very important vitamin for healthy gums & teeth.
Tangerines
Tangerines are a category of citrus fruits that include mandarins, clementines & satsumas
Tangerines are known for being smaller & sweeter than regular oranges.
Tangerines are easier to peel than most other citrus fruit.
Easy Peelers ”
Tangerines are known for their BRIGHT orange peel.
Tangerines are a perfect snack
The name “tangerine” comes from the city of Tangier in Morocco.
Tangerines are one of the most resilient citrus fruits to cold weather & are in peak season during the fall & winter months.
1 tangerine tree can produce up to 7,000 tangerines per season.
Tangerines grow on evergreen trees that grow to be 10 - 15 feet tall
Fiber
Fiber supports movement through the digestive system
Fiber is a type of carbohydrate 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.
Spinach
Spinach is a nutritious, leafy green
Main Types of Spinach:
1. Savoy
2. Semi Savoy
3. Flat
The U.S. harvests around 960,000 pounds of spinach each year.
Spinach is a part of the goosefoot family of the shape of its leaves.
F R E S H spinach is the B E S T spinach!
Flat spinach is the best known & most popular.
Late spring/early spinach season.
Spinach prefer to grow in cooler climates. of its major nutrients after harvesting.
Spinach thrives when grown in sandy soils.
Iron
Iron carries oxygen in the blood, supports the immune system & proper brain function
2 forms of iron: Heme & Non-heme. comes from animal meat and is easily absorbed into the body after eaten. comes from plant foodslike spinach!
Iron is found in EVERY cell of the body.
Non-heme sources of iron are best absorbed into the body when eaten with a source of vitamin C, like an orange.
Iron helps muscles function by carrying oxygen to their cells.
Supports a healthy immune system.
Human blood is RED because of iron and oxygen reacting with each other.
The body uses iron to make hemoglobin.
80% of the Earth’s crust is composed of iron.
Hemoglobin helps carry and transport oxygen in the blood to other parts of the body…like a backpack!
Word Scramble
SRYBDTAHEROCA
EMIUNM HTAHEL
ZNCI CIMUALC ORNI
AOIDXTAITNN
TVAIINM C
YDARI TAREH HALTEH
BEIRF ENPRTOI
