How school foodservice professionals can rely on California apricots in the fight for childhood nutrition


As school foodservice professionals, there are several things that you can count on-hungry kids, a crunch for time, tight budgets and the incredible task of helping kids learn the value of eating healthy. By showing kids that nutrition and taste can go hand-in-hand, you succeed in equipping kids with healthy eating habits that can last a lifetime. 

We'd like to help! Sweetly tart in flavor, California apricots are rich in beta-carotene (Vitamin A) and other nutrients making them a smart choice for demonstrating the pleasure of eating healthy.

Welcome!
On this page, we'll feature general school foodservice information, tips and recipes. The links on the left of the page will help you navigate through this site. You may also find useful materials in our Consumer Section. 



Kitchen Success Stories: Tell Us Yours
Over the years, we've received lots of letters from creative and dedicated school foodservice professionals who have told us about the incredible ways that California apricots have helped to pack flavor and nutrition into school breakfasts and lunches.  We'd love to hear more!   Please send us your success stories and help us assist others in encouraging students to develop healthy eating habits!



Kids & Apricots
It is no secret that many kids arrive in lunchrooms having never tried an apricot.  We've even heard kids ask why the "little peaches" (apricots) taste different than normal. However, despite this initial confusion, foodservice professionals are delighted to discover that kids can develop a taste for apricots quickly.  Once kids learn that apricots are not supposed to taste like peaches, they often grow to like-even love-the sweetly tart flavor with repeat consumption.

Plus, apricots are incredibly versatile and easy to add to a variety of baked goods and recipes.  The subtle flavor apricots add combined with their rich nutritional makeup make them a good match for childhood nutrition.

Apricots, rich in Vitamin A and containing Vitamin C, iron, potassium and fiber, are a great way to revive school menus with variety, flavor, and nutrition. Serving apricots at breakfast, lunch and as an afternoon snack will teach children that healthy foods can also be delicious!

Apricots are breakfast superstars! Kids love our Quick Muffins, which use apricot purée as a fat substitute! Also, try blending apricots into smoothies or serving them as an exciting topping for oatmeal and yogurt!

At lunchtime, kids will enjoy canned apricots served in individual cups or with cottage cheese.  For healthy desserts and snacks, try baking our Apricot Oatmeal Squares or offering apricots as a yummy topping for vanilla ice cream and frozen yogurt. Kids will also love these easy Apricot Pops.



Education
As a school foodservice professional, you know nutrition is an important part of education.  However, you also know how challenging it is to communicate this message to a lunchroom of energetic kids who are more interested in a game of kickball than a cup of apricots. Here are some tips for sneaking a nutrition lesson into lunchtime.

Even at the kindergarten level, kids are aware of the relationship between their bodies and the food they eat. By second grade, kids can assess their own diets by comparing them to the Food Guide Pyramid.  School foodservice professionals can enrich this awareness and knowledge among students by relaying simple nutritional messages at every meal.

Communicate to kids that nutritious foods will give their brains and bodies energy and help them build strong bones and muscles. By serving a variety of foods, especially fruits and vegetables, you can teach kids that different foods help their bodies in different ways and encourage them be open to new foods.  Simple strategies like these can make a huge difference in the fight for childhood nutrition