This week, students participating in Provo City School District’s Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) will get to try two colorful fruits: rambutan and Washington new crop Crimson Red pears.
FFVP gives students opportunities to taste fresh fruits and vegetables they may not regularly encounter at home or in the cafeteria. Here’s what is on the menu this week:
Rambutan
Serving: 2 rambutans per student
Rambutan is a small tropical fruit native to Indonesia. Its name comes from the Malay word for “hair,” a fitting description for the soft, flexible bristles covering its colorful peel.
Inside, students will find a milky-white, translucent fruit with a mild, sweet flavor. The texture and appearance may remind students of a peeled grape.
Important reminder: Rambutan contains a pit or seed in the center. The pit should NOT be eaten. Students should enjoy the white fruit around the pit and throw the pit away.
Washington New Crop Crimson Red Pears
Serving: 1 pear per student
Students will also sample new-crop Crimson Red pears from Washington. Crimson pears are known for their shiny red skin, sweet aroma, and sweet flavor.
Unlike some pears that are best enjoyed only after they soften, Crimson Red pears can be tasty while still firm and crisp or after they become softer.
Try Something New
Whether students are trying rambutan for the first time or discovering a new variety of pear, FFVP gives them another chance to explore fresh foods, new flavors, and produce from around the world.
And remember: enjoy the rambutan fruit, but leave the pit behind!
