Nebraska Farm to Early Care and Education Toolkit

Apples are in season in Nebraska July through October. Some of the more popular varieties grown in Nebraska are Blushing Gold, Braeburn, Cameo, Empire, Enterprise, Evercrisp, Fuji, Gala, Ginger Gold, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Honey Crisp, Idared, Jonagold, Jonathan, Pink Lady, Pinova, Red Delicious, Shizuka, Suncrisp, Winesap, and Zestar

Apple Fun Facts

• Apples are high in fiber, vitamin C, potassium, and various antioxidants.
• An average apple has about 80 calories and is fat free, sodium free, and cholesterol free.
• There are over 2,500 varieties of apples grown in the United States.
• Apples are 25% air. That’s why they float in water.
• Apple trees take 8 to 10 years to produce standard size apples.
• It takes approximately 36-40 apples to make one gallon of apple cider.
• George Washington enjoyed pruning his apple trees.
• Most apples are still picked by hand.
• An apple contains about 6 – 10 seeds.
• Apple trees can live to be around 100 years old.
• Pilgrims planted the first apple trees when they arrive in the Massachusetts Bay. The only apple native to north America is the crab apple.

Purchasing and storing apples:

The apple should be firm with no bruises or soft spots. You can store apples at room temperature for 1 to 2 weeks or in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 months in a plastic container. Do not wash apples until ready to use, then wash them well to remove pesticides.

Sources: https://parleefarms.com/apple-facts/, https://www.appleholler.com/apple-fun-facts-2/, https://web.extension.illinois.edu/apples/facts.cfm

For apple activities, crafts, and recipes check out the Early Care and Education Nebraska Crunch off resource.  Register for the October Crunch Off and visit the Nebraska Crunch Off webpage for more resources.

Curriculum

• Grow It, Try It, Like It! Nutrition Educational Tool Kit (Team Nutrition Resource Library):https://pueblo.gpo.gov/TN/TNPubs.php?PubID=15038 Or download available: https://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/grow-it-homes
• Nebraska Harvest of the Month – Recipes, Taste Test Guide, posters, coloring sheets and more (click on the link and scroll down to download materials).

• National Farm to School Network, Farm to Preschool/Early Care : https://www.farmtoschool.org/resources?2df7000d_page=3&resource-settings=preschool-early-care

• Safety in the Little Gardener’s Garden: https://learningstore.uwex.edu/Assets/pdfs/A3905-07.pdf

• ASAP Growing Minds a program of Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project: https://growing-minds.org/farm-to-preschool/

• A Guide to using the Creative Curriculum for Preschool to Support Farm-to-ECE Models: https://www.farmtoschool.org/resources-main/a-guide-to-using-the-creative-curriculum-to-support-farm-to-ece-models

Lesson Plans and Activities

 Nebraska Crunch Off

• Nebraska Department of Agriculture Kids page: http://www.nda.nebraska.gov/kids/index.html
• Harvest for Healthy Kids- Free Activity Kits: http://www.harvestforhealthykids.org/?page_id=291
• Farm to Preschool on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/janamarie76/farm-preschool-theme/

• Local Foods in CACFP Policy Memo: http://www.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/f2s/CACFP11_2015_Local%20Foods%20in%20CACFP_03%2013%202015.pdf

• USDA – Community Food Systems: https://www.fns.usda.gov/cfs

• USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program: Meal Pattern Revisions Related to the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 Final Rule: https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2016/04/25/2016-09412/child-and-adult-care-food-program-meal-pattern-revisions-related-to-the-healthy-hunger-free-kids-act

Nebraska Farm to School:

Nebraska Farm to School Month

Buy Fresh Buy Local Nebraska http://buylocalnebraska.org/about-us

UNL Farm to School Month

Step Up to Quality Stories: How to Advance Early Childhood Education with Local, Fresh Foods

The Dirt: Farm to School e-Letter (USDA)