Harvest of the Month

What is the Harvest of the Month? 

Harvest of the Month (HOTM) is a nutrition education program that celebrates the bounty and diversity of fruits and vegetables grown in California. In OUSD, we use the HOTM program to provide education on fruits and vegetables, our food system, and California agriculture.

Nutrition Services plays a crucial role in the HOTM program by serving the HOTM every day on school produce bars. We also work closely with the Environment, Food, and Garden team at the Center to source HOTM produce from Organic, BIPOC-Owned, Woman-Owned, Local, or Small-Scale farms in California.

April's Harvest of the Month: Snap Peas!

This month our harvest of the month is Snap Peas! Snap Peas are rich in vitamin C and iron, which is essential for our immune system in preventing us from getting sick. Snap Peas are also high in Vitamin K and manganese, which is important for strong bones and helping us heal from any wounds. They also contain fiber, an essential nutrient for digestion and can help lower the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. 

Snap Peas were created in 1979, by Calvin Lamborn after breeding a Chinese Snow Pea with a Pea Plant. More generally, peas have existed since 3000 BCE. The origins of Snow Peas are unknown, but they were popularized after traveling through Europe and Asia via trade routes. 

Snap Peas are also known as Pisum Sativum, and are part of the Fabacae (bean, legume, or pea) family. They are characterized by their bright green skin, crunchy exterior, and sweet round pods. Snap Peas are tasty raw, but are also blanched, stir fried, or sauteed. Try some Snap Peas on the Produce Bar this April!

To learn some more Snap Pea facts and access classroom Harvest of the Month programming, visit the Center's Education and Community Program's web page.