There’s no doubt about it. Winter can cause you to live a more sedentary existence, and oftentimes, your diet follows. But with winter almost in the rearview and spring right around the bend, you’re probably thinking about how to get back into a healthy lifestyle.
Exercise is an important component, but don’t forget about the health benefits of fresh spring produce. If you’re looking for some seasonal ingredients to provide a burst of flavor and nutrition to your meals, here’s your quick guide to fresh spring produce. Although we don’t supply all these, we still enjoy sharing wonderful produce facts with you.
Why Should You Eat Seasonal Fresh Produce?
Seasonal eating can certainly make your taste buds dance, but there’s more to it than that. Seasonal produce also is far healthier. While agricultural technology and worldwide logistics have allowed all types of produce to grow year-round, in-season fruits and veggies provide a nutritional punch unmatched by out-of-season options. With more nutrition and health benefits related to your energy levels and digestive tract, there’s simply no reason not to eat seasonal options.
Avocados
April through July is the best time for avocados—at least local options that grow in California. This is when the Hass avocado reaches its optimal level of ripeness and provides a power-packed punch of nutrition and taste.
You can enjoy these green morsels in just about any dish from savory to sweet, and with each bite, you get up to 20 minerals and nutrients. Moreover, avocados are one of the best sources of healthy fats, fiber, and a bit of protein.
Kale
Although kale loves the cold and can be harvested well into late fall, it’s at its prime in spring. Once deemed a hipster food, kale has soared in popularity due to its status as a superfood—and indeed it is, containing the following nutrients in just one cup:
- 200% daily value (DV) of vitamin A
- 700% DV of vitamin K
- 134% DV of vitamin C
- Large portions of manganese, copper, and potassium
Plus, you can enjoy kale in many ways. Make a kale salad, saute it, or add it to a recipe in place of other leafy greens. Regardless of how you prepare it, you’re going to love it!
Grapes
If you look for our label on grapes at your local grocer, you’re sure to enjoy the sweetest, crunchiest, freshest grapes anytime throughout the year. Our team chases the harvest to bring you fresh grapes anytime throughout the year. Look at our commodity calendar for produce availability.
Strawberries
No matter how you eat strawberries, you’re sure to smile—especially after you get a fresh, in-season helping in spring! Depending on where they’re grown, strawberries ripen between early March and July, with most reaching their peak between May and June.
Beyond their immense flavor profile, strawberries also offer some great health benefits. They come with low calories for a sweet fruit while also offering heavy helpings of manganese, vitamin C, potassium, and folate.
So chop them up for a salad, eat them by themselves, or make a smoothie. You’ll be happy you did.
Get It Fresh from the Source
Supermarkets are fine and dandy for some ingredients, but when you want fresh spring produce, head to the source—or at least as close as you can get. Grocers and markets that work with local growers are ideal, providing you with the freshest produce while also providing localized economic benefits to your community. So if you want the best-tasting and healthiest fruits and veggies, nothing beats a trip to your local market.
