- Author: Yolanda S. Lopez
- Contributor: Nora Lopez
- Photographer: Shawna Rogers
- Contributor: Shelby MacNab, MPA
USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack proclaimed August 2-8, 2015, National Farmers Market Week. Here in the Central Valley local farmers' markets are selling many delicious seasonal fruits and vegetables. To celebrate the week, we visited The Market on Kern and Manchester Center Farmers' Market to ask shoppers why they shopped at local farmers' markets. What we found were affordable prices, a since of community and some of the best looking produce around.
What brings families to the markets?
Yolanda was on a mission to find out. The answer? They came for a variety of reasons, from freshness to cost.
An Abundance of Affordable Produce Available
What a Great Week!
We weren't able to make it to all of the local markets in the Central Valley this week, but feel lucky to have so many nearby. We often refer our class participants to local markets to encourage them to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into their meals and snacks. To locate a market near you, use this directory.
For some of our favorite produce recipes, visit the USDA's What's Cooking website.
- Author: Shelby MacNab
Thanks to the great folks at Fresno Unified School District, we're able to share a few 'behind the scenes' photos from the recent visit with USDA Undersecretary Kevin Concannon. Read more about that visit here.
Students taking part in a school meal roundtable at Computech Middle School with (Left to right) Michael Hanson, Superintendent; Andrew Scherrer, Computech Principal; and Kevin Concannon, Undersecretary of the USDA.
(Left to right) Jeremy Ward, Principal, Duncan Polytech; Jesus Mendoza, USDA Regional Administrator, Western Region; Cal Johnson, Board President; Michael Hanson, Superintendent; Kevin Concannon, Undersecretary of the USDA; Shelby MacNab, UC CalFresh Supervisor; Jose Alvarado, Food Services Director; Lynnette Brewer, UC CalFresh Supervisor; Andrew Scherrer, Computech Principal; and Karin Temple, Assistant Superintendent, Operational Services.
Jesus Mendoza and Jose Alvarado discuss the efforts Fresno Unified is making to provide healthy meals to all students thanks to the Community Eligibility provision (CEP). The CEP allows the district to feed all students for no-cost, regardless of income.
After spending the morning at Computech Middle School, Undersecretary Concannon was welcomed to the FUSD Nutrition Center.
(left to right) Food Service Director, Jose Alvarado, and USDA Undersecretary, Kevin Concannon, take a look at the Nutrition Corner, which features nutrition education and wellness efforts taking place in Fresno Unified School District. UC CalFresh spotlights the great work being done with the district here, including Smarter Lunchrooms efforts.
Jose Alvarado leads the group on a tour of the FUSD Nutrition Center.
The whole wheat rolls were a fan favorite! Undersecretary Concannon was excited to try one, and gave a thumbs up!
Thanks for taking a look behind the scenes! UC CalFresh enjoyed participating in the visit and are thrilled that the district can now feed all students, regardless of income.
- Author: Shelby MacNab
A message from the USDA
Children need healthy food all year long. During the school year, many children receive free and reduced-price breakfast and lunch through their school meals programs. But when school lets out many of these children are at risk of hunger, which can hinder the learning process.
USDA's Summer Food Service Program ensures children 18 years of age and below, living in income-eligible communities, receive nutritious meals even when school is out. To reinforce this value, FNS has just launched a summer meals support effort on social media to raise awareness about summer meals sites and how these nutritious meals benefit our nation's children. Through a platform known as Thunderclap, this important message can be heard when you and your friends say it together.
By simply clicking a button of support here, a user agrees to share a message with their friends through their Twitter, Facebook and/or Tumblr accounts. That same message will be blasted by those that have agreed to support summer meals during the exact same established time, in this case July 29. Please consider using your social media influence to spread the word about this vital resource for families in need. In doing so, more folks will know how to help kids and teens find a free, nutritious summer meal site this summer!
- Author: Shelby MacNab
UC CalFresh is proud to promote the National Hispanic Heritage Month alongside the USDA! Recently the USDA shared information about new tools that are now available. Here's an excerpt:
"To celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month and increase awareness about MiPlato – the Spanish complement to MyPlate – the USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion is launching new resources for Spanish-speaking audiences.
Visit ChooseMyPlate.gov and click on En Español to find the latest resources. Materials include recipes, tip sheets for parents, activity sheets for kids and a series of new recipes to help more Americans prepare healthier meals at home.
Teachers and parents can invite kids to become MyPlate Champions by sharing the MyPlate Pledge in Spanish. Educators and health professionals can integrate the En Español section of ChooseMyPlate.gov into program and education efforts. The new resources can be used as part of community health fairs or included in local initiatives to encourage healthy choices at school, work and home.
In recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month and MiPlato’s 2nd Anniversary, help spread the message of healthy eating… en Español!"
