How to Choose Seasonal Fruits and Vegetables
We all know that consuming more fruits and vegetables will have great benefits on our health. Those that are in season or at their peak harvest have the best flavor and are usually the least expensive. By choosing fruits and vegetables that are in season, you will teach your family to enjoy these good-for-you foods and save some money in the process. Include seasonal when planning your menu. When you want or need a fruit or vegetables that is not in season, check out canned or frozen for a better buy.
Farmers’ markets are a fun way to look for seasonal and locally grown fruits and vegetables. Farmers’ markets provide the opportunity to talk with the grower about their produce and get ideas they may have for selecting and preparing produce. At the farmers’ market, take your time to shop around to find the best produce and price. Below are some fruits and vegetables that are in season. Clip and post on your refrigerator for a quick reference!
Year round: bananas, apples, celery, carrots, potatoes, onions
Winter: grapefruits, oranges, clementines, tangerines, kiwi fruits
Spring: snow peas, broccoli, greens, asparagus, strawberries, spinach
Summer: peppers, cucumbers, cherries, melons, grapes, berries, corn, green beans
Fall: apples, sweet potatoes, grapes, tomatoes, pumpkin, acorn and butternut squash, pears
To get the best deal on fruits and vegetables, and to avoid waste, ask yourself these questions before you go to the store:
1) What is in season? In-season fruits and vegetables are usually a better deal.
2) How will I use it? Different forms of fruits and vegetables (fresh, frozen, canned, dried, juice) can be used in different ways.
3) Do I have room to store it? Think about available space in cupboards, the refrigerator and the freezer.
4) How quickly can I use it? Fresh fruits and vegetables usually need to be used within a week or less, while canned, frozen, and dried will last longer.
5) When will I go to the store next? Buy enough to last for the next week, two weeks, or month until you can get back to the store.
If you enjoy perusing the internet for reliable resources for recipes, tips and tricks, and family mealtime suggestions, you will probably enjoyhttp://dinnertonight.tamu.edu/. On that site, you will find a plethora of delicious recipes that are designed for flavor and health benefits. You can also find Dinner Tonight on Facebook! Check it out!
Master Wellness Volunteer Training Deadline Approaches
We are taking registrations for the 2017 Master Wellness Volunteer training. The series is scheduled for Mondays, January 30, February 6, 13, 20, and 27, at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office, 1200-B W. Houston in Sulphur Springs. We’ll cover topics such as nutrition, food safety, health and wellness, childhood nutrition, finding reliable sources on the internet, and much more! Upon completion of the training, a certification exam will be given (don’t worry, we’ll review each week, so it will be a breeze!). Volunteers then agree to give 40 hours of service by assisting me with programs, health fairs, 4-H events, program preparations, and other activities. You get to select how much and how often to participate, and I’ll never ask you to do anything that you don’t feel prepared to do.
This is a great opportunity to learn, and to help the community! Contact my office for times and fee. (A hybrid version is also available, but the first and last meetings must be face-to-face.)
Seating is limited to the first 15, so don’t delay – call 903-885-3443.
Closing Thought
We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future – Franklin D. Roosevelt
02 Johanna Hicks
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Family & Consumer Sciences
1200-B W. Houston
P.O.Box 518
Sulphur springs, TX 75483
903-885-3443 – phone
903-439-4909 – Fax
[email protected]
