The FFV program has announced this week's selection of fresh fruits and vegetables, featuring California cherries, Rockit apples, and caviar limes.
New crop California cherries are being provided in convenient single-serving bags. Students are reminded that cherries contain pits and should use the bags to discard them safely.
Cherries are stone fruits belonging to the Prunus family, which also includes nectarines, peaches, plums, and apricots. Descended from the wild cherry, Prunus avium, these fruits are grown in many varieties.
Common varieties include Bing and Brooks, while others like Sequoia, Sweetheart, Tulare, and Lapin may be named for their developers or origins. These fruits are best when they feature a deep red color and provide a balance of sweet and tart flavors.
Rockit apples are also part of this week's offering, with each student receiving one miniature apple. Originally developed in New Zealand, these high-quality mini apples are bred from crab apple parentage.
These apples are known for being very sweet and extra crunchy with a red-blushed skin. Each apple contains approximately 50 calories along with fiber, carbohydrates, and vitamin C.
The program also includes one caviar lime per student to be served alongside the Rockit apples. Also known as finger limes, these micro citrus fruits originate from coastal regions of Australia and grow on thorny trees or shrubs.
Caviar limes are named for the tiny, bead-like vesicles inside that resemble caviar and burst with juice when squeezed. The fruit features an outer skin ranging from burgundy to dark green, while the interior pearls can be a soft blush or lime green color.
