Nourishing Students: Early Childhood Education Resources

Discovering Fruits and Vegetables with Early Learners

avocado radish carrot bean cilantro on wood

The early years of a child’s life are full of discovery — and that includes discovering new foods. With more young children participating in California’s free School Meals for All and Transitional Kindergarten (TK) programs, there is a growing opportunity to shape lifelong healthy habits.

A child’s love for a particular fruit or vegetable can begin anywhere: in the classroom, the cafeteria, the garden — or at home. When children experience familiar ingredients in multiple settings, their curiosity grows, and so does their willingness to try new foods. The Center for Ecoliteracy’s Nourishing Students resources offer activities and recipes for educators, families, and school nutrition professionals featuring fruits and vegetables grown in California, including avocados, beans, carrots, cilantro, and radishes.
 

Resources

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Nourishing Students for Educators cover image of fruits and vegetables

For Educators

Nourishing Students: Discovering Fruits and Vegetables with Early Learners includes standards-based classroom activities to engage students’ senses through art, math, language, science, and social-emotional learning.

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Nourishing Students learning card image with radish

For Educators

Nourishing Students: Bilingual Learning Cards in English and Spanish can be used in the classroom or garden to teach students about the wonders of fruits and vegetables.
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Nourishing Student for School Nutrition image of fruits & vegetables

For School Nutrition

Nourishing Students: Recipes for Discovering Fruits and Vegetables with Early Learners includes innovative strategies and 12 real school cafeteria recipes to strengthen connections between the classroom and cafeteria. 

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Nourishing Students for Families image with fresh fruits & vegetables

For Families / Para Familias

Discovering Fruits and Vegetables with Early Learners / Descubrir frutas y verduras con niños pequeños extends lessons beyond the classroom providing simple activities and recipes that invite families to cook, taste, and explore together.
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Virtual Professional Development Workshop

In March 2026, the Center for Ecoliteracy hosted a workshop with early childhood educators to explore Nourishing Students activities and resources. 
Watch the recording and download the slides to learn about these resources and how to activate them in your classroom.

"This seminar was the best training I have ever attended. So well done."
Susannah Bassett, Novato Unified School District

Funding for Nourishing Students is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the USDA.

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