Guess what?! June is National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month!
This is not a joke. June has been designated (by whom, we don’t know) National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month. Unfortunately, you won’t get a day off from work or school to celebrate, but don’t let that stop you from having a Fruit and Vegetable Party!
This month, we’ll be sharing many ways to add more fruit and vegetables to your daily diet. We’ll also give you ideas for adding some usual items that you might not be familiar with, like…
Kohlrabi:
Dragon Fruit:
Romanesco Broccoli:
Tat Soi:
… and others that you might have seen but had no idea how to prepare.
By the time June rolls around in North America, most cities’ farmer’s market are open and bustling. Crops begin filling each stand, and the variety increases daily. June is not only a great time to eat more fruit and vegetables, but it’s also the best time to create a new habit: shopping at your local farmer’s markets.
One of our favorite things to do when we travel is to visit the local farmer’s markets and taste fresh produce from that area.
From Provence, France…
…to Rome, Italy…
…from California…
…to North Carolina…
…from Texas…
…to Mexico!
There are many good reasons to eat fruit and vegetables, beyond all of the health benefits you’ve heard so much about. Here are some that come to mind:
- There’s no confusing label to decipher!
- In most cases, you don’t even need to cook them!
- Some come in their own biodegradable wrapper (like bananas).
- They’re pretty!
- People are very impressed when you know the name of unusual or exotic produce.
As you wait for the next farmer’s market, go to Find a Recipe and look for previously posted recipes featuring delicious fruits and vegetables. We often add these delicious foods to main dishes, beverages and desserts as well. If you register (see Start Planning), you’ll be able to save your favorite recipes for future access. You’ll also be able to plan a menu and generate a shopping list. Registration is free, and we don’t share any of your information with anyone!
You’ll see that it’s not that difficult to eat all of the USDA recommended servings (or to cover half of your plate with fruit and veggies).
You might also want to look at the non-profit health initiative, Fruits and Veggies – More Matters. You’ll find “bunches” of useful information, including games for getting your kids to eat more fruit and vegetables, how to shop and store veggies, eating fruit and veggies on a budget, and more. We recommend it!
Time to go shopping. Hope to see you at the farmer’s market!