Spring Berries

By Callie Ashe

There’s nothing quite like the liveliness and excitement that follows the seasonal transition from late spring into early summer. As the days grow longer and the weather gets warmer, this is a time when the earth begins to thrive with fresh colorful fruits and vegetables in order to help keep our bodies cool during the warm weather months.

Exciting news this season, we have just recently added California grown strawberries back to our shelves along with blueberries. Our farmers are now providing them in recyclable cardboard packaging whenever possible. As long as they are available to us, we will continue to offer them to our customers.

The strawberry is widely appreciated for its characteristic aroma, bright red color, sweetness and juicy texture. This berry is rich in antioxidants and plant compounds which will help aid in heart health and blood sugar control. They are an excellent source of vitamin C, vitamin B9, manganese and potassium. It is believed that the strawberry can help benefit your health in many other ways, including maintaining healthy vision, helping to prevent cancer, lowering of your cholesterol, reduction in inflammation, regulation of blood pressure, and can even help keep your wrinkles at bay. They have also proven to put a smile on one’s face.

This berry has endless possibilities beyond snacking. Enjoy this berry just as is or try adding them to your favorite smoothie, a muffin recipe, top off your waffles or even add them to a fruit salsa.

Remember to try to eat fresh local produce when possible. It is better for you as well as the environment and can also help save you money. Try to find that inspiration to eat produce that is in season.

Other new produce items to expect for this season are rhubarb, red and green seedless grapes, raspberries and blueberries. We may even see some early cherries by the end of the month.