Sweet potatoes thrive in the heat and humidity and love our summer months here in North Florida. They are related to morning glory vines and cover the garden with their large leaves and beautiful purple flowers. We use them as a cover crop at the Farm to School Hub, and at school gardens throughout the district, to help tamp down weed growth while students are away. When they return, voila! Something is waiting to be harvested for their school lunch!
We are thrilled to be able to offer these and other locally-grown sweet potatoes to students this week. Our food truck will be serving a portion of our 120-pound harvest as oven fries. Elementary school students who attend schools that are part of the USDA’s Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program will be enjoying murasaki sweet potatoes from Frog Song Organics as potato wedges at “brick and mortar” schools, and whole in bags at curbside service for Digital Academy students enrolled at that school.
These are simple to make at home, too. Just cut into fry shapes, toss lightly in oil, and bake in a pre-heated 425 degree oven for 15-20 minutes total , flipping half-way through. Sweet potatoes of all kinds and colors will be at farmers market throughout the fall. They are packed with good nutrition, fun to grow, and tasty to eat!
