Beaumont, CA –– Beaumont Unified School District's elementary students were bumping elbows as they excitedly filled their bags with organic fruits and vegetables at an exclusive popup farmers market just in time for the holidays.
Containers of fresh, organic produce were delivered from Old Grove Orange Farm to a Beaumont elementary school. Over the course of the day, over a hundred TK - 5 grade students heard Jacqueline “Farmer Jackie” Stewart from Old Grove Orange share fun facts about Valencia oranges, pomegranates, chard, carrots, and apples. “You have to make sure you eat a lot of rainbow carrots to protect your eyes, " Stewart explained, as she held up an orange, white, and purple version of the vegetable.
At the end of the presentation, students were handed bags and were instructed to choose three items from the organic produce containers. “I got um, a baby apple and she said apples help your brain,” said third grade student Brooklyn as she showed off her selection.
The interactive educational experience was available to students enrolled in Beaumont USD’s Expanded Learning Opportunities Program called Scholars On Vacation with the partnership of the District’s Child Nutrition Services department.
The free program is a critical community wide benefit for families, as well as local businesses, since it allows families to work while school is out of session for a prolonged period of time.