Avocados don’t fall far from the tree...Because they grow on one! Avocados may grow on a tree but they only ripen once they are off the tree. Even more amazing is that avocados can stay on a tree for as long as 18 months. It's as if the tree preserves them until you're ready to use them

We may think of avocados as a veggie but they are a fruit! Avocados are expensive! All avocados are picked by hand making labor a major cost

factor. Avocado trees are high, so a 16-foot pole with a pouch

and clipper at one end is used to pick the fruit. Holding the

pole, you cradle the avocado in the pouch, then pull a string on

the pole to clip off the stem near the top. Made in the USA California produces 90% of the nation’s crop.

Over 5% of all avocados are sold in the 2 weeks leading into the Super Bowl. That's a lot of guacamole! Awesome Avocado Nutrition Avocadoes are one of the few fruits or veggies with fat, however it is the heart healthy monounsaturated fat. It does have about 50 calories per 3 thin slices so watch portions.

We call it our… Nutrition Intuition

In 1987, Registered Dietitian Karen Maier built a company based on the principles of Nutrition & Service naming her company Nutri-Serve Food Management to reflect these beliefs. Nutrition has always been at the forefront of menu planning with the goal of creating a serving line that teaches our customers about healthy meals. We believe our exponential growth to over 85 districts over the last 28 years is a result of our commitment to serve tasty and healthy meals to our customers.

Nutri-Serve’s Corporate Dietitian, Kristen Mueller, RD, works collaboratively with our leadership team to plan our monthly menus and provides nutrition support and education to students, athletes & staff. Questions/Comments for Nutri-Serve’s Corporate

Dietitian? Email kristenm@nsfm.com

Nutrition Intuition

This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Our nutrition education involves the healthy marketing of our serving line.

To teach the concept of balance to our elementary-aged customers we use the Balloons for a Balanced Lunch approach. Each balloon represents a different food

group. Blue is milk, Red is fruits, Green is vegetables, Yellow is grain, Purple is protein.

A lunch tray with every color balloon is a healthy one!

Balloons for a

Balanced Lunch

How active does your family need to be to burn off these popular summer treats? Based on 130-150 lb person

Fruit of the Month

Banana

Veggie of the Month Avocado

Banana Funnies?!

Why did the banana go to the doctor?

It wasn’t peeling well!

What do you call a banana with ripped pants?

A Banana Split!

Ap-peeling Remedy

Rubbing a banana peel on poison ivy or a mosquito bite

can help reduce itching and swelling. I bet Spongebob is

wondering if it will work on a jellyfish sting!

Splinter Soother

Got a Splinter? Rub a banana peel over a it! The enzymes

in a banana help loosen the splinter from your skin & help

heal it!

Polishing Peels-Talk about recycling for Earth

Day!

Banana peels are a great way to polish a pair of leather

shoes.

Peels can naturally whiten your teeth due to the

combination of potassium, magnesium & manganese in

the peel.

Cramp Crusher

Bananas are high in potassium which

helps prevent muscle cramps during exercise.

Ice Cream Cup (1 Cup)

191 calories 50 minutes of slow walking

Frozen Coffee w/cream (24 oz)

400 calories 1 hr biking 10-12 mph

20 Chips &

1/2 Cup Guacamole

269 calories 1 hr of yoga

Italian Ice (12 oz)

260 calories 30 minutes of running

Milkshake (11 oz)

350 calories 1.5 hrs of Mini Golf

Cotton Candy (2 oz)

220 calories 30 minutes of paddle ball on the beach

Funnel Cake

760 calories 1.5 hrs roller skating

Hot Dog (4 oz w/ Ketchup)

315 calories 45 minutes of swimming