October 5, 2025

Whats' Cooking - October

HPS Nutritional Services Monthly Newsletter

Holland Public Schools has been awarded both the 10 Cents a Meal Grant and the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Grant for the 2025–2026 school year. While these two programs are separate, we’ll be combining our efforts to ensure our students enjoy locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the school year.

We’re grateful to our distributors—Gordon Food Service and Farmlink—for helping us source the best local products. (Fun fact: West Michigan FarmLink was started with one goal in mind—helping local farms connect with local consumers!)

  • What is a cucamelon?
    Imagine a tiny watermelon that tastes like a cucumber with a hint of lime—that’s a cucamelon! These adorable fruits, also known as Mexican sour gherkins, are about the size of a grape. They grow on vines and are native to Mexico and Central America—but thanks to the Kessler Family Farm, they’re grown right here in West Michigan.
  • Cucamelons aren’t just cute—they’re packed with nutrients, including fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants. They’re perfect for snacking, adding to salads, or even pickling.

Meet Our Growers: The Kessler Family Farm

  • Kessler Family Farm in Byron Center, Michigan, is a true family endeavor involving multiple generations—parents, children, grandparents, siblings, and close friends all lend a hand. Josh and Stephanie Kessler and their four children live, work, and play on their small farm on 92nd Street. Josh’s parents, Doug and Marcia, regularly help with seeding, weeding, harvesting, and childcare, while siblings and friends jump in whenever needed.
  • The Kesslers’ dream of starting a local farm began in 2015 when they discovered their passion for growing produce in their Alger Heights backyard. In 2016, they moved to their current 15-acre farm with rich, black soil, where they now cultivate an acre of vegetables ranging from arugula to zucchini.
  • By working together with our local farmers and distributors, we’re proud to bring fresh, exciting, and nutritious options—like cucamelons—to our students.
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