Child Nutrition November Newsletter

Posted Date: 11/05/24 (12:00 PM)

Child Nutrition Newsletter

November 2024

Director's Message

NOVEMBER – I love November! November brings promises of the holiday season, extended breaks to spend with our closest people and DELICIOUS food! Warm comfort foods are my favorite to cook during these chilly days and our menu will reflect a couple of changes as well.

Turkey Pumpkin Chili served with Cornbread Muffins and Red Pork Pozole are going to be gracing our menu during November. These exciting new recipes will be served at all grade levels, made from scratch on our site kitchens and they are sure to warm us up even on the chilliest days. We will also be recipe testing new items at various locations, these recipes will hopefully be incorporated into our December menu. We are continuing to focus on freshly made recipes and are listening to all of the feedback we have received so we can get our students excited about their meals.

For all of the parents and students of Lakeview and Orcutt Junior High – we have very exciting news! When your students return to campus after fall break, they will be greeted with new serving areas and options. With our Orcutt Junior High kitchen freshly remodeled and our team moved back in, we will once again be serving in the MU/Cafeteria as well as the windows. Lakeview will also be opening service in the MU in addition to the windows. This means we can re-incorporate salad bars to give the students more options to customize their meals, we can offer multiple grab-and-go options and we can (most importantly) get their food to them faster. We will be sending out more information as the date gets closer and students will be updated on campuses about the changes.

Once again, I would like to thank all of you for your patience as we hire new employees, navigate new menus and recipes, and continually adjust our numbers to accommodate the growth we have been seeing. Please feel free to reach out with feedback at any time, we are listening and making changes every day to offer the best we can to our students.

Christy Wineman, Director

Healthy Bites!

Feeling under the weather? As the Indian summer fades and warm days turn cooler, our bodies can feel the stress, making us more vulnerable to catching a cold or feeling off.

Don’t worry, immunomodulating nutrients are here to help! These nutrients support our immune system, helping it stay strong against germs and infections like the common cold. Yes, "immunomodulating nutrients" is a mouthful, but it simply means they make our bodies better at fighting off sickness.

One important nutrient is Vitamin C, well-known for its immune-boosting properties. You can find it in oranges, strawberries, bell peppers, and leafy greens. Vitamin D, often called the "sunshine vitamin," is another key nutrient. As sunlight wanes during the colder months, foods like fish, eggs, and Vitamin D-fortified milk can help keep your levels up.

Zinc is another immunomodulating nutrient that supports immune health. It’s found in foods like chicken, beans, pumpkin seeds, nuts, and whole grains. Eating a balanced diet with these foods can make a big difference. Besides eating well, remember to drink enough water, get plenty of sleep, and take time to relax. These habits, along with good nutrition, can help your immune system stay strong during the changing seasons.

Dmitriy Tsoy, Registered Dietician / Nutrition Coordinator

Fresh Food for Students!

The Month of October was "National Farm to School Month" and October 10th was "California Crunch it Munch it" day. Our kitchens celebrated it with lots of variety of additional fruits and vegetables this whole month.

Students were offered fresh kiwi, jicama, snap peas, cabbage, melons, and cucumber in addition to the rotation of strawberries, peaches, apples, carrots, celery and broccoli that are offered daily. Some of our students have never had kiwi or jicama! We are exposing students to new food experiences. Ask your student(s) what item they liked best and what they didn't like. Use this opportunity to discuss trying new things.

Whether it is a special event we will always strive to offer a variety of fresh-local fruits and vegetables.

Look what one of our students created for themselves on "build your own beef nachos." Students enjoyed building it their own way!

Let's Eat Healthy - Link

California Dairy Council - Link

What's happening?

There are rumors going around that there were cows on school campuses?!? Yes, It is true there were cows on campus at Pine Grove, Ralph Dunlap & Patterson sites.

The mobile assembly, featuring the “Mobile Dairy Classroom,” brought a real Jersey cow to the school. Students had the unique opportunity to learn about the anatomy of cows and understand the process of how milk goes from farm to table. The dairy instructor Mishael also covered the nutritional benefits of dairy products and how they contribute to a balanced diet.

To reinforce what students learned, 1st-grade students at Pine Grove participated in a fun post-assembly activity. They created colorful drawings of the dairy assembly (please see attached). Along with their artwork, students wrote short texts summarizing key facts about cows. Overall, it was a fun and educational experience for everyone involved. The students went back to their classrooms with a better understanding of the dairy farm system and why milk they enjoy drinking from the school cafeteria is a healthy beverage choice. Plus, they all got to meet a real-life cow, making it an unforgettable day at school!