This week the students will receive another delivery from the
BC School Fruit & Vegetable Nutritional Program.
Kindergarten to Grade 2 students will also be receiving cow's milk or a fortified soy beverage as part of the new +Milk program. Here's scoop number four on
MILK.
KIWIS
Kiwis are the edible berry of a wooden vine, and are native to China, India, Japan, and southern Siberia. They are grown commercially in New Zealand, Italy, Chile, Greece and France. However, they do just fine in our temperate climate and you may have seen them growing in back yards right here in Vancouver!
In their early days of being marketed internationally, they were known as Chinese gooseberries and melonettes. Marketers settled on the name "kiwifruit" due to their resemblance to the kiwi bird (small, round, brown and furry), the national bird of New Zealand. New Zealand was the first country that grew them commercially.
Kiwi vines are either male or female; only the female vine produces fruit, and only in the presence of a male vine.
Kiwis are a rich source of vitamin C and vitamin K, and a good source of dietary fiber and vitamin E. The fruit and skin contain flavonoids, actinidin and adhered pollen which may produce irritation in the mouth and throat of some allergic individuals. Kiwi seeds are a very good source of omega-3 fatty acid.
Students will receive their delivery during class time. This snack is not meant to replace the foods students normally eat at school. Students can make their own decisions on whether to taste the fruits offered.
For even more information, check out the
SCOOP and
DOUBLE SCOOP on kiwifruit.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the PAC by e-mail or contact the school administration at 604-713-4620.
