1. Seasonal Foods
  2. Fall Crunch Time!

Fall Crunch Time!

Red and green apples.

Feature a Farm for a Taste Test in the Cafeteria or Classroom!

Add and integrate local seasonal ingredients to a menu item. A little can go a long way. See suggested recipes.

Pick a single school or lunch wave to feature locally grown. Start small and focus where you can. Serving a whole district can be a lot when you are starting out.

Also check out our “Native American FoodWays: Honoring Native Foods of Autumn” page.

pop art of a yellow pear
pop art graphic of a bunch of carrots
pop art of corn
pop art of winter squash
pop art of an apple
pop art of milk, yogurt and cheese
pop art graphic of different types of seeds
pop art of a green pear

Activities and Materials

We have free activities and materials below to hand out during taste tests, in classrooms, or at community events. For more information and downloads, reach out to Abigail Dubois.

Activity Sheet

activity sheet for hardcore fall campaign

Posters

Hardcore poster with two apple cores

Coloring Sheets

Draw our Crunch Combo Pear and apple coloring sheet

For Pre-schoolers

school tray of food and juice

Email Shannon Raider-Ginsburg for information about Early Childhood Educations activities.

CT Grown for CT Kids Week

Celebrate with us by Crunching with us every October! CT Grown for CT Kids Week is an annual event happening every October in Connecticut. This week aims to celebrate and support local agriculture, public education and our community commitment to the importance of healthy nutritious meals in schools.

The CT Farm to School’s website has everything you need to take part in CT Grown For CT Kids Week.

Recipes

Check out our Local Products page for more great recipes!

mini pancakes on a plate wiht syrup and powdered sugar.

Johnnycakes

Or Journeycakes, are a traditional traveling food that is made from cornmeal and water. Similar to pancakes, they were traditionally cooked over hot coals or on hot stones. Try making this simple, delicious Cranberry Journeycake recipe at home with these native ingredients:

  • Cornmeal
  • Maple syrup
  • Fresh or dried cranberries
  • Cooked or canned pumpkin
  • Sunflower seeds or other optional ingredients!

To see the full recipe from Tomaquag Museum Director Silvermoon LaRose, check out our Cranberry Thanksgiving page.

a green salad with apple slices and pomegranate seeds.

Apples and More!

We’ve collected a number of recipe ideas for incorporating local apples, butternut squash, maple syrup, and more into your meals. These recipes have been developed, tested, and approved by school food service professionals and by kids!

apple crumble in a casserole dish.

Our Favorites!

Below are recipes given to our team to share with the world, straight from Connecticut school cafeterias! They are formatted for food service, and have all been tested for student approval: 

Native American FoodWays

Native American Foodways AUTUMN banner