fruit in lunches

[missyali]

I worry about what fruit will look like this winter and am struggling to come up with something that offers variety as well as is cost-effective. My kids must pack a fruit in their lunch for daycare and school. I think I will make pear sauce and apple sauce, canned pears and peaches. any other thoughts? I want to make sure when they eat it that it: 1. provides nutrition, 2. has some taste and texture they are used to so they will eat it. Any input is appreciated. TIA

[dcompton]

Are they used to raw apples? I usually carry whole apples to work, but occasionally will slice them and add a little sugar and lemon juice to the container. It keeps them from turning brown and add a lemonade zing to the dessert. I don't know if kids would like it.

[Frugal Nurse]

Not knowing how old the children are and not knowing what the likes and dislikes of the children -
you could put in 'dried' fruit such as raisens, apricots, apples, and bananas. In addition to the applesauce etc - that you plan to do.

Although, I have a disagree with the daily lunch fruit need. Hyperactivity comes to mind. If you're asking the little ones to eat it at lunch then take a nap - you're defeating the purpose.
On the other hand, I like the idea of having ALL the children pack fruit in their lunch. There won't be any junk food pressure. It's VERY healthful.

I prefer to provide seasonal fruits and veggies so that my food is grown close to home. Some in back yard. RARELY from across the country and NEVER from out of the country. (does jalepeno/tomato scare ring a bell?)

Here's a list of the seasonal fruit and veggies

Fall
Acorn Squash
Apples
Butternut Squash
Cauliflower
Celeriac
Figs
Grapes
Mushrooms
Parsnips
Pears
Pomegranate
Pumpkin
Sweet Potatoes



WinterChestnuts

Grapefruit
Leeks
Lemons
Oranges
Tangerines
Radishes
Rutabaga
Turnips

Summer
Beets
Blackberries
Blueberries
Broccoli
Corn
Cucumber
Eggplant
Green Beans
Nectarines
Peaches
Plums
Raspberries
Tomatoes
Watermelon
Zucchini

Spring
Apricots
Artichoke
Asparagus
Avocado
Carrots
Celeriac
Collards
Fennel
Mango
Pineapple
Rhubarb
Spinach
Strawberries
Sugar Snap and Snow Peas
Vidalia Onions


Of course, you could freeze and can in season fruit so that you can have it for off season use. If you haven't already done that not all is lost. You'll just need to be a bit more creative with what you have.

Hope this helps.

PS. I love frozen grapes.
You can ask the daycare to peel and cut the apples. They don't mind at all.

Ditto on the oranges, etc.

[IamBlessed]

How about fruit leather? It's do-able in an oven if you don't have access to a food dehydrator. By the same token, you could make banana or apple chips in the oven or in a dehydrator. I know my gks enjoy all three of the aforementioned.

[favesis37]

i had never heard of frozen grapes until ddil told me they do it at daycare. the kids love them. they roll them in a little sugar then pop them in a freezer bag, eat them frozen