This week the second graders explored what products are grown in California. Our state supplies a large amount of the fruits, vegetables, and nuts consumed by people across the United States and has the largest population of farmworkers in the country. We enjoyed tortilla chips produced by local producer Sabor Mexicano and homemade guacamole students garnished with cilantro in our Zoom class. The corn, avocados, onion, garlic, and cilantro were all grown in California.
We watched a short video highlighting some of California’s top commodities and learned that the top 10 agricultural products in our state are dairy products and milk, grapes, almonds, cattle and calves, pistachios, strawberries, lettuce, flowers, tomatoes, and citrus.
California was once part of Mexico, borders Mexico today, and thrives economically due in large part to the labor of the many Mexican and Mexican American farmworkers who tend and harvest the produce that feeds America. Guacamole, with its brilliant balance of acid and fat and the textural complement of tortilla chips, is a great introduction to Mexican food culture and a fun and simple recipe kids of all ages can make together with their families.
