Summer Times
March 2020 Edition
Annual Training Sessions Happening Now!
CNPweb: Open for Business!
Catch the Vision in 2020
The USDA and the State Agency have set a goal of 5% increase in the total number of meals served compared to 2019 SFSP season. There are many ways to accomplish this goal and we will continue to share ideas in how to reach this goal. This month we will highlight a new farm to summer initiative and share the exciting resources Purdue Extension has to offer.
Farm to Summer
Cucumber Crunch & Melon Munch. Indiana is hosting the first ever Cucumber Crunch and Melon Munch to encourage kids to celebrate locally grown foods. This event is about agriculture education, locally sourced produce and to increase consumption of fruits and vegetables in our youth. Will you be providing locally grown produce to students during the summer? Ready, set, crunch!
Pick your produce. Indiana has selected to highlight cucumbers in June and melons in July based on our harvest calendar. Cucumbers and melons are great choices that give off a crunchy sound!
Get the whole community involved. Make sure that your crunch event really celebrates all of your hard work in farm to summer. Invite a local farmer, invite families to participate, celebrate your food service staff and administrators that make farm to summer happen at your site. Everyone can be invited to enjoy the c r u n c h of a fresh, local food!
Set a time for the crunch. One of the best things about a crunch event is the collective noise you can all make to celebrate farm to summer. So whether you crunch to start out lunchtime or get everyone gathered to crunch in some other way, setting a time is another way to truly make your crunch an event to remember!
Make it more than a crunch. Incorporate your crunch item into a meal or taste test. Recipe ideas: Crunchy salad (cucumber or melon salad), cucumber stacks (sandwiches), raw cucumbers & dip, fresh melons. The choice is yours!
Order seeds. As soon as in April, IDOE will offer free cucumber and melon seeds on first come first served basis. Get students even more excited to crunch by giving them the opportunity to plant their own seeds. Look for a link to order in the next newsletter!
Purdue Extension CATCH Program
Community Wellness Coordinators are booking for summer now!