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 Education and Community Programs team at the Center to source HOTM produce from Organic, BIPOC-Owned, Woman-Owned, Local, or Small-Scale farms in California.

November's Harvest of the Month: Fuyu Persimmons!

Fuyu Persimmons contain nutrient superpowers which keep us nourished and strong! Persimmons are full of vitamins like A, C, and fiber which are necessary to keep us nourished and keep our body working its best. These vitamins help boost our immune system, eyesight, digestive system, and skin health! As the seasons change, persimmons can help boost our immune system and help us recover from sickness more quickly. 

Persimmons get their bright orange color from beta-carotene—an antioxidant that converts into vitamin A in the body. It also contains other antioxidants like tannic and gallic acid which help our hearts beat strong. Persimmons are versatile: you can enjoy persimmons alone as a sweet snack or add them into salads, salsas, and smoothies. They will be on our Produce Bars in November, add them to your plate when you see them!

To learn some more persimmon facts visit the Center's Education and Community Program's web page.