Huntington Beach City School District (HBCSD) is excited to announce the return of the Harvest of the Month program for the 2024-2025 school year. This beloved initiative connects students with fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables, offering an engaging way to learn about nutrition, agriculture, and the benefits of supporting local farms.
Running from October through May, the program will feature a different seasonal fruit or vegetable each month. Students will learn about the nutritional benefits of each harvest and follow its journey from farm to table. This year, we are thrilled to partner with Old Grove Orange, a collective of small growers in Southern California, to showcase their fresh, locally grown produce.
This year, the Harvest of the Month program has expanded to serve elementary and middle school students with content tailored to their learning needs. The program offers a hands-on learning experience that emphasizes both nutrition and agriculture. Each month, classrooms receive educational materials developed by HBCSD Food Services and Educational Services. These materials, aligned with California health standards, allow teachers to integrate key learning objectives into various subjects, including science, social studies, and English language arts. Students will also participate in taste tests, sampling fruits and vegetables that may be new to them, deepening their understanding of nutritious eating and local agriculture.
Here’s a preview of the seasonal produce students will explore each month:
October: Organic Dragon Fruit (Farmer Neva, Bonsall)
November: Persimmon (Farmer Jay, Riverside)
December: Organic Finger Limes (Farmer Neva, Bonsall)
January: Watermelon Radish (Farmer David, Thermal)
February: Organic Crab Apples (Farmer Byron, Cuyama)
March: Kumquat (Farmer Jay, Riverside)
April: Organic Blood Oranges (Farmer Bob, Redlands)
May: Cherry Tomatoes (Farmer Mariela, Riverside)
To reinforce learning, each month’s featured produce will be available as a cafeteria lunch option the following week. This creates a full-circle experience for students, connecting what they learn in class to what they eat daily and highlighting the importance of healthy eating.
Eader Elementary students participating in October's Harvest of the Month, dragon fruit.
"Harvest of the Month is an incredible opportunity to introduce students to nutritious, locally grown produce in a fun and educational way. By connecting what they learn in the classroom with what they see on their plates, we aim to inspire a deeper understanding of healthy eating and a stronger connection to our local food systems,” said Ashlin Connolly, Director of Food Services.
Stay tuned each month as we celebrate new fruits and vegetables through the Harvest of the Month program!
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