Enjoy fruits & vegetables in all forms!
When shopping for groceries, fruits and vegetables are available in many forms:
- Canned
- Fresh
- Frozen
Add more canned, fresh, and frozen fruits and vegetables to your grocery list:
- They are healthy choices
- Count toward your daily goal of five or more servings each day
- Provide variety in your meals
- Are easy to prepare and use in recipes
Shop for fruits and vegetables in all their forms:
- Canned
- Fresh
- Frozen
Benefits of canned fruits & vegetables:
- Picked and canned at peak freshness so flavor and nutrients are preserved
- Cooked prior to canning, so they require a short cooking time to be ready to eat
- Available year round and costs less than out of season fruits and vegetables
- Canned items may last from two to four years in your pantry and still be safe to eat
- Choose canned vegetables low in sodium and fat
- Choose fruit canned in 100% juice with no added sugar
Benefits of fresh fruits & vegetables:
- Greater variety
- You’re able to touch, smell, and see the fruits and vegetables before you buy
- Can cost less when purchased in season
What does it mean to eat in season?
- Eating fresh foods being harvested right now close to home
Why is it good to eat in season?
- You save money
- Food tastes better
- Food is more nutritious
How can I eat more seasonal foods?
- Know what’s in season
- Visit your local farmer’s market
- Check the signs at your store
- Stickers show where the food was grown
- Ask the store manager for locally-grown food
Benefits of frozen fruits & vegetables:
- Picked and frozen at peak freshness so flavor and nutrients are preserved
- Frozen items may last up to six months in your freezer and still be good to eat
- Can cost less than out-of-season produce
- Long shelf life (up to 6 months)
- Little preparation required – the washing and slicing is already done
- Available year-round
Tips for buying fresh fruits & vegetables:
- Purchase fresh produce in season to save money
- Ask the store clerk how to select fresh produce
- Purchase enough fresh produce for your family to last until you shop again
- Use fresh produce as soon as possible to enjoy peak flavors
Tips for buying frozen fruits & vegetables:
- Choose frozen fruits or vegetables with no sodium, sugar, or fat added
Use recipe substitutions:
- Choose something in season when the recipe calls for an out-of-season ingredient
Freezing produce:
- Freeze fruits and vegetables purchased in season to use in out-of-season months
