Providers Choice Blog

The growing season in Minnesota has come to an end, and as the fields and gardens wind down, it’s the perfect time to enjoy the fruits (and veggies!) of your fall harvest. Autumn brings a bounty of colorful produce—crisp apples, hearty squash, and sweet root vegetables—that can be transformed into tasty, CACFP-creditable snacks.

Whether you’re serving up something cozy and warm or crisp and refreshing, these five new snack ideas will inspire you and your young eaters to savor the wholesome, comforting flavors of fall. Check them out below!

Beets - Quick Pickled Beets & Mozzarella Balls

Did you know ancient Romans, who used beets to treat constipation, improve circulation, and fight fevers?

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Carrots - Sweetened Carrot Sticks & Cottage Cheese

Did you know carrots get a little sweeter if you leave them in the ground until after the first frost?

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Turnips - Sweet & Sour Turnips & Whole Wheat Crackers

Did you know large turnips were used to carve Jack-O-Lanterns prior to the pumpkin?

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Apples - Dried Apples & Yogurt

Did you know the University of Minnesota's apple breeding program began way back in 1878?

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Cauliflower - Cauliflower Popcorn & Cheez-It Crackers

Did you know cauliflower means “cabbage flower” because it is a flower that has not fully developed?

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Curious about which fresh foods are in season throughout the year or looking forward to planning your garden for next spring? Minnesota Grown’s What’s In Season Chart is a great resource to help you make the most of local produce.

You’ll find a month-by-month guide to what’s growing across the state—perfect for planning menus, shopping locally, or deciding what to plant next season. Check it out and keep the taste of Minnesota’s harvest on your table all year long!