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Nutrition Services

Savor the Harvest of September

Embrace the Harvest: A Culinary Bridge from Summer to Fall


As September arrives, it brings a delicious transition. You can still enjoy the last of summer's bounty, like cherry tomatoes and cucumbers, while welcoming the first flavors of fall with harvests of sweet potatoes, apples, and muscadine grapes. Combining these ingredients creates unique and flavorful meals that celebrate both seasons.


Get Cooking with the Family

Get your kids involved in the kitchen! Being hands-on with food often makes them more willing to try new things. Give them a role in the decision-making process, like choosing a seasoning or an ingredient. Children are often curious to try their own creations, which can encourage them to explore new flavors and dishes.


Preserve the Season

This is a great time to bottle up the remaining tastes of summer by canning or preserving produce. For free resources and guides on how to safely can and preserve at home, CLICK HERE!

Let's Get Movin'!

Get Outside and Enjoy the Weather


With the cooler temperatures of September, it's the perfect time to get outdoors. Take advantage of the pleasant weather by going for a walk, whether it's around your neighborhood or on a local hiking trail.


When walking with your child, try engaging them with some simple prompts. Ask them to point out their favorite tree, plant, or leaf. Alternatively, challenge them to name five different sights, sounds, or smells they notice along the way. These kinds of questions can help both of you stay present and truly appreciate the natural world around you.

If you are looking for an active game to do as a family, then try the following activity:



Scavenger Sport


How to play:

  • Begin by having someone make a list of things they can find in the area.
  • Once the list is made, the person with the list needs to assign an activity to the item. For example: 1 pinecone = 5 jumping jacks.
  • When all items have an activity assigned to them, the list is shared with the players
  • Players must hunt for the items listed AND perform the activity assigned to it
  • Once a player has found all items AND completed all activities, they win!


Why this is great:

  • The game combines exercise with a scavenger hunt, so children have movement and mental stimulation.
  • The game can be played indoors or outdoors.
  • The activities assigned can be tailored to the mobility of the players. This makes the exercise more accessible for everyone playing.


Harvest of the Month: More Pears!

The Perfect Pear: A September Staple


September is the perfect time to enjoy pears, which are in peak season. Not only are they delicious, they're also a great source of vitamin C and fiber. With many varieties to choose from, like Bartlett, Concorde, Red Anjou, and Bosc, you can have fun trying them all to find your favorite.

When you're at the store, look for pears that are firm and free of bruises. To check for ripeness, gently press near the stem. If it gives slightly, the pear is ready to eat. You can store ripe pears in the refrigerator for up to five days. If your pears are still firm, simply leave them on the counter at room temperature for about three to five days until they ripen. (3-5 days).


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Recipe Highlight: Pork Chops with Red Cabbage and Pears

Ingredients:

        ¼ cup cider vinegar

        2 tablespoons packed brown sugar

        ¼ teaspoon dried sage, crushed

        6 small pork loin chops, cut 1/2 inch thick (about 2 pounds total)

        ½ teaspoon dried thyme, crushed

        ¼ teaspoon salt

        ¼ teaspoon dried sage, crushed

        ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper

        2 teaspoons neutral oil, such as canola or avocado

        6 cups coarsely shredded red cabbage

        1 cup sliced onion

        2 medium pears, cored and sliced

        1 tablespoon Snipped fresh sage and/or thyme


Directions:

In a small bowl, combine cider vinegar, brown sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon sage. Reserve 1 tablespoon of the mixture; set both mixtures aside.


Trim fat from pork chops. Sprinkle pork with the dried thyme, the salt, 1/4 teaspoon sage, and the pepper. In a very large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add pork chops. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes or until pork is slightly pink in the center and juices run clear, turning pork chops once halfway through cooking and brushing with the 1 tablespoon vinegar mixture for the last 1 minute of cooking time. Remove pork chops from skillet; cover and keep warm.



Add red cabbage and onion to skillet. Cook and stir over medium-high heat for 6 minutes. Add the remaining vinegar mixture and the pears to skillet. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes. Top with pork chops; heat through. If desired, sprinkle chops with fresh sage and/or thyme.


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Kids Corner

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SNAP Corner

SNAP provides monetary assistance to supplement the food budget of households that meet the financial and resource requirements.


Foods available under SNAP:

  • Fruits and vegetables
  • Meat, poultry, and fish
  • Dairy products
  • Breads and cereals
  • Other foods such as snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages
  • Seeds and plants, which produce food for the household to eat

For questions or assistance, call (336) 422-7758 or email fnsoutreach@secondharvestnwnc.org


Second Harvest Food Bank's Nutrition Services is committed to working with low-income families seeking to improve their nutrition and health, partnering with our agency programs and community groups.  


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