D I G I T A L
M A G A Z I N E
OCTOBER 2025
School District of Indian River County Celebrating Local Food, Farmers & Nutrition Education!
E N R I C H M E N T
Our Nutrition Department is comprised of our cafeteria who are dedicated to supporting the Food &staff Nutrition Services is dedicated to ensuring that every child has access to a wholesomesuccess and nutritious health, well-being, and academic of meal every day. By promoting student achievement, we aim to students and children. We promote healthy eating cultivate lifelong healthy eating habits that enhance habits through the preparation of nutritious, longoverall health and wellness through balanced nutrition. lasting meals. Both breakfast and lunch are provided at no cost and meet all State and Federal requirements based on USDA Dietary Guidelines. WE WORK DILIGENTLY TO FEED OUR LOVED CUSTOMERS, OUR CHILDREN, OUR STUDENTS
Watermelon | Cantaloupe | Oranges | Sweet Corn Green Beans | Cherry Tomatoes | Milk
Hydration
Vitamin C
B Vitamins
R.C. Hatton
J&J Family Farms
Calcium
FL Dairy
Florida
Watermelon
Florida is the #1 watermelon producing state in the U.S.
Florida produces around 1 BILLION pounds of watermelon each year.
Florida accounts for 30% of all watermelon grown in the U.S.
Watermelon is grown mainly on the west side of Florida.
Watermelons are 92% water. Watermelons are a N O N G M O crop.
Watermelons are grown in over 96 countries.
JULY
Watermelons
90
take days to grow from seed to fruit.
Seedless watermelon are most popular.
National Watermelon Month!
Hydration Hydration is the process of replacing fluids in the body. Being hydrated helps convert food into energy.
Water is the body’s main source of hydration.
The body’s 6 essential nutrients: carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals & WATER!
Water helps carry nutrients & oxygen to all the cells in the body. Hydration helps regulate the body’s temperature.
Proper hydration can help to improve moods.
The body is better at fighting off infections 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.
Florida
Cantaloupe
Most cantaloupe grown in Florida can be found throughout Central Florida & the Panhandle.
5
Types of Cantaloupe grown in Florida:
Cantaloupe grown in Florida is in season from April – June. Cantaloupe do NOT continue to ripen once they are picked from the vine.
1. Ambrosia 2. Honey Rock 3. Galia 4. Athena 5. Minnesota Midget
“Reticulated Muskmelon”
Cantaloupe grow on vines that can reach up to 5 feet long.
Cantaloupe are pollinated by honeybees.
Cantaloupe take around 90 days to produce fruit after being planted.
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 helps 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 plays a role in serotonin production. Serotonin makes us feel happy.
Florida
Oranges
More then 90% of America’s orange juice comes from Florida oranges.
3
Popular Types of Oranges:
1. Navel 2. Hamlin 3. Valencia
85% of oranges are produced for making juice.
Orange season is 9 months long! October - June!
600+
varieties of oranges. Most oranges are harvested by hand. Sub-tropical areas are ideal conditions for growing oranges. Oranges need a lot of sunshine and warm temperatures.
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.
Florida
Sweet Corn
Florida is the largest producer of fresh market sweet corn in the U.S.
Florida is home to 37,000+ acres of sweet corn.
The U.S. is the LARGEST producer, consumer & exporter of corn in the world. Humans only eat sweet corn.
Palm Beach County produces over 50% of Florida’s sweet corn. An ear of corn ALWAYS has an even number of rows.
There are around
800
kernels on each ear of 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.
Corn is America’s number 1 field crop.
R.C. Hatton Farms R.C. Hatton Farms started in 1932 with only several hundred acres of land. R.C. Hatton Farms is now home to 8,000 acres of land. Founded by Robert C. Hatton.
One of the LARGEST corn growers in Florida.
R.C. Hatton Farms has developed MANY different kinds of sweet corn.
Located beside Lake Okeechobee.
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. Located in Pahokee, Florida.
Florida
Green Beans
In the winter, Florida Florida ranks 2nd in the U.S. for production of green beans. produces 100% of the green beans grown in the U.S. Bush & pole are 130+ varieties the 2 main types of of green beans. green beans. Green beans are Try growing also known as string green beans in or snap beans. your garden! Green beans are the 3rd most homegrown vegetable.
The World’s Tallest Bean Plant was over 45 feet tall.
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String beans can be green, yellow or purple!
Equivalent to 3 fullygrown giraffes stacked on top of one another.
Calcium Calcium supports healthy bones & teeth as well as proper blood & muscle function. Calcium is the 5th most abundant chemical element in the Earth’s crust. Calcium helps keep muscles working properly.
Calcium supports heart health.
99% of the body’s calcium is stored in the bones.
Calcium helps form bones and teeth and keep them healthy.
The other 1% is found in the blood, muscles & other tissues. Calcium helps to heal cuts & wounds.
Calcium is the
MOST
abundant mineral in the human body.
Florida
Cherry Tomatoes
Florida is ranked the #1 state for growing fresh tomatoes.
Florida grows 50% of all fresh tomatoes grown in the U.S.
Cherry tomatoes, as their name suggests are of similar size & shape to that of cherries. Cherry tomatoes grow faster than larger tomatoes. There are over 10,000 different varieties of tomatoes.
Tomatoes are a warm season crop. Cherry tomatoes are known for their small size & natural sweetness. Botanically, tomatoes are a fruit!
Tomatoes are easy to grow & very commonly grown in home gardens. Tomatoes take 60 - 100 days to grow from seed to fruit. Tomatoes come in a variety of colors including yellow, pink, purple & more!
J&J Family of Farms J&J Family of Farms is a farming operation specializing in vegetables.
“Fresh from our Farms Daily”
J&J Family of Farms was established in 1983.
J&J Family of Farms grows, packs & ships their produce year-round.
“We are locally grown, but nationally known!” J&J Family of Farms has farms & packing facilities in Florida, Arizona, Georgia, Texas & Mexico.
J&J Family of Farms grows a wide variety of vegetables. J&J Family of Farms Florida location is in Vero Beach, FL.
Florida
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! Cows chew their cud 50 times per minute. How many times can you chew in a minute?! Cows can SEE almost 360 degrees and SMELL up to 6 miles away!
DAIRY FACTS Most Florida dairy herds range in size from 150 5,000 cows.
Florida dairy farmers recycle 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 6 8 gallons of milk each day.
Nutrition Did you know that milk provides a powerful package of 13 essential nutrients that support your overall health?
STRONG BONES & TEETH
Vitamin D is known as “The Sunshine Vitamin.”
Calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D in dairy help build and maintain strong bones and teeth.
MUSCLE GROWTH & REPAIR The high-quality protein found in dairy foods aids in building and repairing muscles.
ENERGY CONVERSION 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!
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.
Remove the lump of butter, and wrap it in plastic wrap. Refrigerate until you are ready to serve. OPTIONAL:
For more information, visit FloridaMilk.com/in-the-schools