November FFVP Educational Slides These slides are for displaying as students enjoy their FFVP snacks during the month of November! Find discussion ideas and answers to questions in the “Notes” below each slide. If a mix of veggies is served for snack, you’ll find more than one slide for that day. Orange is our theme color of the month! You’ll notice an orange fruit or vegetable on Tuesday each week. Please note that the FFVP menu may change! More information available at: Please contact Andrea Northup at with any questions or comments about the FFVP

Plums are stone fruits that grow on trees. They are related to peaches, nectarines, and apricots. Plums can have green, yellow, red, or purple skin. Some plums grow in Minnesota, but not many. Dried plums are called prunes China produces most of the world’s plums Plums are in the rose family Good source of Vitamin C to aid our bodies in absorbing calcium and boost our immune system Good source of Vitamin A to maintain eye health There are two types of plums – Japanese and European plums. Japanese plums came from China. We don’t know where the first European plum grew. What dried fruits have you tried or seen? How were they different from fresh fruits?

Butternut squash are a type of winter squash that grow on vines. We eat the flesh of the squash after the skin is peeled off and the seeds are scooped out. Typically we eat winter squash cooked but it’s good raw, too! Minnesota squash are harvested in September and October but we can store and enjoy them all winter long. As butternut squash ripens, it turns deeper orange and gets more sweet and flavorful. Butternut squash is in the same family as pumpkins. Other varieties of winter squash include buttercup, acorn, and spaghetti. Excellent source of beta- carotene, which our body converts to vitamin A. Carotenoids, like Beta- carotene, gives butternut squash its orange color and helps our vision, bone growth and cells Squash originated in North America over 5,000 years ago. Squash, beans and corn (maize) are known as the three sisters and were planted together and honored as sacred foods by Native Americans. Butternut squash have beautiful orange flesh. What other vegetables can you name that are the color orange? Which one is your favorite? How do you like to eat it?

Pineapples are groups of flowers whose fruitlets fuse around a central core. They grow on short- stemmed plants in tropical climates. In the United States, most pineapples are grown in Hawaii. Pineapples got their name because people thought they looked like pine cones In the Caribbean, pineapple crowns outside a home mean friendship and welcome Contain bromelian, an enzyme that may help to reduce joint pain High in manganese to build strong muscles and strong bones Good source of fiber to help with digestion Pineapples originated in Brazil and Uruguay. Native tribes ate them and spread them throughout the continent. Christopher Columbus brought the first pineapples back to Europe. What makes a tropical climate different from our climate in Minnesota? What other plants grow well in tropical climates?

Pineapples are groups of flowers whose fruitlets fuse around a central core. They grow on short- stemmed plants in tropical climates. In the United States, most pineapples are grown in Hawaii. Pineapples got their name because people thought they looked like pine cones In the Caribbean, pineapple crowns outside a home mean friendship and welcome Contain bromelian, an enzyme that may help to reduce joint pain High in manganese to build strong muscles and strong bones Good source of fiber to help with digestion Pineapples originated in Brazil and Uruguay. Native tribes ate them and spread them throughout the continent. Christopher Columbus brought the first pineapples back to Europe. What makes a tropical climate different from our climate in Minnesota? What other plants grow well in tropical climates? Bell peppers are a sweet vegetable that grow on small, bush-like plants. Fresh, Minnesota- grown peppers can be found in the months of July, August and September. Peppers can be put into two groups: sweet or hot Red, orange, or yellow peppers are green peppers that were left on the plant long enough to change color! With large amounts of vitamins A, C and E, peppers are wonderfully healthy for your skin and immune system Good source of fiber to aid our digestive system Contain folate to help build new cells The bell pepper has twice the amount of vitamin C as an orange! Peppers originated in Mexico and Central and South America. Christopher Columbus loaded his ships with many pepper when he returned to Spain. Soon peppers were popular throughout Europe. Peppers have more nutrients once they are fully ripe. Which pepper has more nutrients – a green pepper or a red pepper?

Honeydew is a type of melon. Melons are sweet fruits that grow on vines trailing along the ground. Honeydew likes warm, dry climates Egyptians considered honeydew a sacred food Has potassium to help your muscles when you exercise Good source of vitamin C to boost your immune system People believe honeydew was first found in Asia. It has been cultivated in the Middle East since ancient times. Melons and cucumbers are in the same plant family. What similarities and what differences can you think of between honeydew and cucumber?

Pineapples are groups of flowers whose fruitlets fuse around a central core. They grow on short- stemmed plants in tropical climates. In the United States, most pineapples are grown in Hawaii. Pineapples got their name because people thought they looked like pine cones In the Caribbean, pineapple crowns outside a home mean friendship and welcome Contain bromelian, an enzyme that may help to reduce joint pain High in manganese to build strong muscles and strong bones Good source of fiber to help with digestion Pineapples originated in Brazil and Uruguay. Native tribes ate them and spread them throughout the continent. Christopher Columbus brought the first pineapples back to Europe. What makes a tropical climate different from our climate in Minnesota? What other plants grow well in tropical climates?

Grapes are fruits that grow in bunches on vines. Grapes come in many colors – white, green, golden, red, purple, and black. Concord grapes are one of three fruits native to North America. Grapes grow in Minnesota and are ripe in late summer and fall. Grapes are about 80% water! There are grapes growing on every continent except Antarctica Packed with Vitamin C and other nutrients to keep you healthy Good source of fiber to help with digestion Good source of potassium, which can help prevent muscle cramps during exercise and fight infection Grapes are one of the oldest cultivated fruits. People were growing grapes over 8,000 years ago! What do you called a dried grape? What other foods can we make using grapes?

Cantaloupe are sweet fruits that grow on vines. Minnesota cantaloupe are ripe in August and September. Cantaloupe got its name from Cantalupo, Italy In Australia, people call cantaloupe “rockmelon” Another name for cantaloupe is muskmelon Excellent source of vitamin C, which the body uses to heal itself and to strengthen blood vessels Has Vitamin A to promote healthy vision and skin High in folate which our body uses for cell growth. Cantaloupe originated in the Middle East or India. Ancient Egyptians and Romans enjoyed growing and eating cantaloupe. If one melon can be divided into 12 slices and each slice cut into 6 pieces, how many total pieces of melon would you have?

A head of cauliflower is actually the immature flowers of the plant. In addition to white cauliflower, it can be purple, green or gold! In Minnesota, cauliflower is harvested from July to November. Because leaves cover the cauliflower buds and block out the sunlight, chlorophyll doesn’t form in the buds and this keeps the cauliflower white. In the picture, the leaves have been cut back. Full of vitamin C, fiber, and folate to keep our immune system and cells strong Contains a substance called indole which scientists think may help prevent certain types of cancer Cauliflower was first grown in Asia around the Mediterranean Sea. The word cauliflower comes from the Latin floris meaning flower and caulis meaning stalk. Find the Mediterranean Sea on a map. What continents touch the Mediterranean Sea? What Asian countries border the Mediterranean Sea?

Broccoli are clusters of flowers buds (florets) which grow on stems. Each plant produces one head of broccoli. We harvest Minnesota broccoli from June through October. The name broccoli comes from the Latin word brachium, which means branch or arm Broccoli is in the same family of plants as cabbage and cauliflower. Broccoli is a powerhouse of nutrients, sometimes called a Super Food! Has as much calcium per ounce as milk Good source of fiber, vitamins C, E, and K Good source of folate and iron to make your immune system and blood cells strong Broccoli has existed for more than 2,000 years and was first cultivated in Italy. In the 1900s Italian immigrants introduced broccoli to the United States when they planted it in their gardens. When we eat broccoli, we are actually eating the small, unopened flowers of the plant. Can you think of any other vegetables we eat that are flowers?

Carrots are vegetables that grow underground as a taproot (the main root of a plant). We grow carrots in Minnesota. They are harvested in the late summer to early fall and can be stored throughout the winter months. Carrots are related to fennel, dill, parsley, and parsnips Baby carrots are actually big carrots that are peeled, cut and shaved down The first carrots were grown as medicine because they have so many vitamins and minerals Best known for a high beta carotene, content - this helps keep our eyes, skin, bones, and teeth healthy (and makes carrots orange) Around 5,000 years ago, people in Middle Asia and Afghanistan began to eat carrots. In Roman times, carrots were mostly purple and yellow! Carrots are an orange vegetable because they contain a nutrient called beta carotene. What other orange vegetables can you list?

Cantaloupe are sweet fruits that grow on vines. Minnesota cantaloupe are ripe in August and September. Cantaloupe got its name from Cantalupo, Italy In Australia, people call cantaloupe “rockmelon” Another name for cantaloupe is muskmelon Good source of vitamin C, which the body uses to heal itself and to strengthen blood vessels Has Vitamin A to promote healthy vision and skin High in folate which our body uses for cell growth. Cantaloupe originated in the Middle East or India. Ancient Egyptians and Romans enjoyed growing and eating cantaloupe. If one melon can be divided into 12 slices and each slice cut into 6 pieces, how many total pieces of melon would you have?

Honeydew is a type of melon. Melons are sweet fruits that grow on vines trailing along the ground. Honeydew likes warm, dry climates Egyptians considered honeydew a sacred food Has potassium to help your muscles when you exercise Good source of vitamin C to boost your immune system People believe honeydew was first found in Asia. It has been cultivated in the Middle East since ancient times. Melons and cucumbers are in the same plant family. What similarities and what differences can you think of between honeydew and cucumber?

Pineapples are groups of flowers whose fruitlets fuse around a central core. They grow on short- stemmed plants in tropical climates. In the United States, most pineapples are grown in Hawaii. Pineapples got their name because people thought they looked like pine cones In the Caribbean, pineapple crowns outside a home mean friendship and welcome Contain bromelian, an enzyme that may help to reduce joint pain High in manganese to build strong muscles and strong bones Good source of fiber to help with digestion Pineapples originated in Brazil and Uruguay. Native tribes ate them and spread them throughout the continent. Christopher Columbus brought the first pineapples back to Europe. What makes a tropical climate different from our climate in Minnesota? What other plants grow well in tropical climates?

Carrots are vegetables that grow underground as a taproot (the main root of a plant). We grow carrots in Minnesota. They are harvested in the late summer to early fall and can be stored throughout the winter months. Carrots are related to fennel, dill, parsley, and parsnips Baby carrots are actually big carrots that are peeled, cut and shaved down Around 5,000 years ago, people in Middle Asia and Afghanistan began to eat carrots. In Roman times, carrots were mostly purple and yellow! Carrots are an orange vegetable because they contain a nutrient called beta carotene. What other orange vegetables can you list? The first carrots were grown as medicine because they have so many vitamins and minerals Best known for a high beta carotene, content - this helps keep our eyes, skin, bones, and teeth healthy (and makes carrots orange)

Jicama (pronounced HEE-ka-mah) that we eat is the root of a long plant that grows along the ground (a vine). Jicama has many different names – yacón, yacuma, arboloco, Mexican potato, Mexican yam bean, and leaf cup. Has lots of good fiber to help us digest our food Good source of vitamin C to boost the immune system Good source of potassium to help nerves and muscles communicate Jicama belongs to the potato family. It has been growing in Mexico and Central America for centuries. Can you match the American vegetable name with the British vegetable name? auberginerutabaga rocketbell pepper capsicumzucchini swedeeggplant beetrootbeet courgettearugula

Cantaloupe are sweet fruits that grow on vines. Minnesota cantaloupe are ripe in August and September. Cantaloupe got its name from Cantalupo, Italy In Australia, people call cantaloupe “rockmelon” Another name for cantaloupe is muskmelon Good source of vitamin C, which the body uses to heal itself and to strengthen blood vessels Has Vitamin A to promote healthy vision and skin High in folate which our body uses for cell growth Cantaloupe originated in the Middle East or India. Ancient Egyptians and Romans enjoyed growing and eating cantaloupe. If one melon can be divided into 12 slices and each slice cut into 6 pieces, how many total pieces of melon would you have?

Honeydew is a type of melon. Melons are sweet fruits that grow on vines trailing along the ground. Honeydew likes warm, dry climates Egyptians considered honeydew a sacred food Has potassium to help your muscles when you exercise Good source of vitamin C to boost your immune system People believe honeydew was first found in Asia. It has been cultivated in the Middle East since ancient times. Melons and cucumbers are in the same plant family. What similarities and what differences can you think of between honeydew and cucumber?

The part of cauliflower we eat is actually the immature flowers of the plant that grow wrapped in the leaves. Cauliflower is typically white, but we’re trying orange cauliflower! In Minnesota, cauliflower is harvested from July to November. Orange cauliflower gets its coloring from beta carotene Orange cauliflower actually has a sweeter flavor than white cauliflower Full of vitamin C, fiber, and folate to keep our immune system and cells strong Contains beta carotene, which the body converts to Vitamin A to help keep our eyes, skin, teeth and bones healthy Contains a substance called indole which scientists think may help prevent certain types of cancer Cauliflower was first grown in Asia around the Mediterranean Sea. The word cauliflower comes from the Latin floris meaning flower and caulis meaning stalk. Cauliflower is a vegetable that comes in multiple colors. What other vegetables can you think of that can be multiple colors?

The head of cauliflower that we eat is actually the immature flowers of the plant. It’s typically white but can be purple, green or orange. In Minnesota, cauliflower is harvested from July to November. Orange cauliflower gets its color from beta-carotene Orange cauliflower is slightly sweeter than white cauliflower Orange cauliflower has more beta-carotene than white cauliflower. It helps the body eyes, skin, teeth and bones strong Also full of vitamin C, fiber, and folate to keep our immune system and cells strong Cauliflower was first grown in Asia around the Mediterranean Sea. The word cauliflower comes from the Latin floris meaning flower and caulis meaning stalk. Find the Mediterranean Sea on a map. What continents touch the Mediterranean Sea? What Asian countries border the Mediterranean Sea? Apples are fruits that grow on trees. Apples come in all shades of green, yellow and red. Fall is the best time to find ripe Minnesota apples, but they can store well into the winter months. Apples can float in water because they’re 25% air! Americans eat about 120 apples a year The University of Minnesota breeds apple varieties that are grown all over the world! Good source of vitamin C to help your immune system stay strong Great source of fiber to help with digestion, especially if you eat the skin The pilgrims brought apples to the United States. They planted the first apple trees in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. John Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed, travelled the Ohio River Valley planting apple trees. Why do you think that planting apple trees was such a special gift?

Carrots are vegetables that grow underground as a taproot (the main root of a plant). We grow carrots in Minnesota. They are harvested in the late summer to early fall and can be stored throughout the winter months. Carrots are related to fennel, dill, parsley, and parsnips Baby carrots are actually big carrots that are peeled, cut and shaved down Around 5,000 years ago, people in Middle Asia and Afghanistan began to eat carrots. In Roman times, carrots were mostly purple and yellow! Carrots are an orange vegetable because they contain a nutrient called beta carotene. What other orange vegetables can you list? The first carrots were grown as medicine because they have so many vitamins and minerals Best known for a high beta carotene, content - this helps keep our eyes, skin, bones, and teeth healthy (and makes carrots orange)

Kiwi are fruits that grow on vines in bunches. Some people eat the kiwi skin, but most prefer to eat just the sweet flesh and edible seeds. A few cold-hardy varieties of kiwi can be grown in Minnesota, but they typically prefer warmer climates. Kiwis used to be called Chinese gooseberries but in the 1960s, when they started being shipped to the US, people began using kiwi because the fuzzy, brown fruits reminded them of the kiwi bird. Kiwi have lots of nutrients - copper, zinc, and potassium as well as twice the vitamin C of an orange! Kiwi seeds are edible and contain lots of Vitamin E, which is good for your blood People in China were eating kiwi over 700 years ago. The Chinese word for kiwi is Yang Tao, meaning “sunny peach.” How would you describe a kiwi? What are its colors? Does it have seeds? What is the fruit like - juicy, tangy, crunchy, sour, squishy, sweet?

Tomatoes are actually fruits that grow on plants (because they contain seeds) but we call them vegetables. Minnesota farmers grow many tomatoes, which are harvested from July through September. Grape tomatoes are a small variety of tomato. The name tomato has its roots in the Aztec word tomatl The heaviest tomato ever grown was almost 8 pounds! Tomatoes contain the antioxidants lutein, lycopene, and beta carotene, which may help to protect us against heart disease and cancer Good source of vitamin A and vitamin C to keep us healthy Tomatoes are native to Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia. As far back as 2,000 years ago Aztecs and Mayas were growing tomatoes. Spanish explorers returned home with tomato seeds and introduced them to Europe. Tomatoes are an important ingredient in many of our favorite foods. Can you name some of the foods that use tomatoes as ingredients?

Tangerines are a type of citrus fruit that grows on trees. Unlike other citrus fruits, mandarins can only be harvested in late fall and winter. They only grow in warm climates (so not Minnesota)! Tangerines, along with clementines and satsumas are all varieties of mandarin oranges. The first tangerines were brought to Europe from Tangiers, Morocco in Africa, and that is why we call them tangerines Clementines are tangerines without seeds! Provide thiamin and vitamin B6 which helps the body break down food for energy and brainpower Excellent source of vitamins A and C to keep us from getting sick Mandarin oranges were so prized in ancient China that they were given the name mandarin, after the officials of the Imperial Court. The first tangerines were brought to Europe from Tangiers, Morocco in Africa, which is how they got their name. Let’s say that each tangerine has 8 sections with 2 seeds in each section. If there are 30 students in your class with tangerines, how many total seeds are there?