September Harvests for Back-to-School!
During September, local agricultural fields enter peak harvest with an abundance of popular produce like Concord grapes, tomatillos, and apples, together with pears, sweet potatoes, squashes, tomatoes, and bell peppers. Back-to-school season provides a perfect time to learn about the process of garden-to-table practices so kids can put healthy eating habits into action. Hands-on experiences in the kitchen, such as helping prepare dinners, allow children to see where their produce comes from while encouraging consistent healthy choices.
Understanding the agricultural supply chain equips students with the ability to identify and trace where their food comes from. Concord grapes are a staple ingredient in daily lunches, particularly in jams and jellies that make up half of the classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich! Concord grapes offer a bold, sweet flavor, making them an excellent choice for juicing, meaning that the same batch of grapes may be used to make your favorite grape juice! Beyond grapes, September marks the peak of Pennsylvania's orchard season with apples in full debut. Varieties including Gala, Fuji, and Honeycrisp are in their prime and are ready to be harvested for juices, pies, applesauce, and many more fall favorites. Unique seasonal crops like tomatillos come wrapped in a husk that kids can peel back to discover a green fruit while adding a tart, citrusy, and slightly grassy flavor to sauces like salsa verde. Fall squashes, such as acorn and butternut can be easily prepared and used in stews alongside sweet potatoes and tomatoes in both sweet and savory dishes.
Introducing students to food science and sustainability practices can connect daily nutrition to physical wellness. Essential nutrients like vitamin C found in apples help support immune health and healthy digestion. September squashes and Concord grapes contain high amounts of vitamin A and potent antioxidants that are necessary for brain function and overall health. At home, kids can assist with washing and peeling produce, mashing fruits, and chopping vegetables such as bell peppers. These efforts translate to the cafeteria, where students can then pack their homemade jelly, salsa, freshly pressed juice, and applesauce in everyday lunches! Making fruit a part of breakfast is a healthy way for children to incorporate it into their routine. Parents can assist in packing fresh vegetables for after-school activities like sports practices and preparing easy picnic snacks or quick bites for on-the-go. Bringing kids along on grocery trip outings can be a fun way of exposing them to new produce that catches their eye. Prioritizing produce that kids can easily handle offers a fun and engaging way for kids to build their own produce snack plates and incorporate fruits or vegetables they tend to dislike into familiar meals.
In-person experiences that show students where their food originates are key to maintaining long-term interest and healthy eating habits. Learning each step of how food travels from farm to plate establishes a sense of ownership over what they eat. Visiting local farms, picking fresh produce at orchards, and learning basic gardening skills and growing techniques are just a few initiatives that actively engage children and show great appreciation for the earth. Many local farms offer Pick-Your-Own experiences where you can hand-select fresh produce and take it home to enjoy!
Check out these Pick-Your-Own events!
Linvilla Orchards – 137 W Knowlton Rd, Media, PA 19063
Solebury Orchards – 3325 Creamery Rd, New Hope, PA 18938
Styer Orchards – 97 Styers Ln, Langhorne, PA 19047
Maple Acres Farm – 2656 Narcissa Rd, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462
Tabora Farms – 1104 Upper Stump Rd, Chalfont, PA 18914