CUSD Food & Nutrition Services held its annual Lunch at the Library events all summer long at the San Juan Capistrano Library. The season kicked off with Farm 2 Summer Week. An annual event in California, Farm 2 Summer Week celebrates the farmers who make local foods for students possible by offering tastings of locally grown produce, educational opportunities for agriculture and nutrition, and engaging with the local community.
The week started out with a farm stand tasting of Persian cucumbers grown is Escondido, California. Paired with Tajin, the cucumbers were a hit!
Local CUSD produce partner Dickinson Family Farms visited on Tuesday to teach the children about how fruits and vegetables – especially avocados – make it from farm to table. There were plenty of organic avocados for the families to take and enjoy at home, grown in Fallbrook, California. Did you know that fruits have seeds and vegetables don’t?
Wednesday was the perfect combination, bringing avocados back on the menu for a homemade guacamole to go with CUSD favorite Gluten-Free Make Your Own Nachos. The Persian cucumbers also made another appearance as families learned how to make Agua Fresca de Pepino y Limón – a refreshing summer drink made with water, cucumbers, sugar, lemons, and mint. It was a great way to stay cool in the heat and show families different ways to use local produce.
To wrap up Farm 2 Summer Week, kids had the chance to make a chia seed terrarium on Thursday. These terrariums allow kids to see the entire growing process, starting with a little chia seed to its gelatinous stage to full sprouts. Chia seeds can also be used in reptile and amphibian enclosures to provide greenery, cycle soil nutrients, and provide a safe food sources for plant-loving pets.
The fun didn’t stop with Farm 2 Summer Week. From character visits with Mouse (“If You Give A Mouse A Cookie”) and Red Crayon (“The Day The Crayons Quit”) to crafts and more, it’s been a packed summer. Kids even had the chance to meet authors Joey Spiotto (“Max, A Little Axolotl”) and Mike Alfaro (“¡Gooool!”). California Assemblymember Laurie Davies also paid a visit, helping serve hungry children with the Food & Nutrition Team.
Want to experience it for yourself? Lunch at the Library continues Monday August 3rd through Friday August 7th from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. Meals are free for all kids ages 18 and under and must be eaten at the Library. Don’t miss out on Fandom Week, filled with crafts from “Dog Man,” “K Pop Demon Hunters,” and more, along with a bubble and popsicle party!
Menus and activity calendar available at https://capistrano.healtheliving.net/
