Del Norte Child Care Council Newsletter Articles

Fruit of the Month - Strawberries!

Strawberries are low in calories and have many vitamins and nutrients. They are high in iron and vitamin C and are less than 60 calories a cup. They are a good source of folic acid, fiber, potassium and antioxidants.

Enjoy strawberries with your children and share some of these interesting facts compliments of Nancy Mach and her research on the Michigan Department of Agriculture website.

Strawberries are the only fruit with seeds on the outside.
The average strawberry has 200 seeds.
Strawberries are the first fruit to ripen in the spring.
There is a museum in Belgium just for strawberries.
Strawberries are members of the rose family.
Over 53% of 7 to 9 year old children picked strawberries as their favorite fruit.
Strawberries are grown in every state in the U.S., every province in Canada, all over Europe and Australia.
Strawberries can grow by the sea, in the woods and on mountaintops.

Let’s help our children eat and learn about strawberries while they are sweet and plentiful!

Tips for Buying Strawberries

Peak Season: May to July
Purchasing Tips: Purchase for use within 2 days
Color is best when bright and solid red with very little green or white
Leaf caps should be fresh looking with no mold
Refrigerate immediately
Do not remove caps until ready to serve
Popular varieties are Camaroso, Chandler, Driscoll’s, Seascape and Selva