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Tag: Fruits and Vegetables

Storing Fresh Produce

Posted on by djbechard

Eating fresh local produce is always a treat and one of the best things about summer! Here are a few tips on maintaining the quality and safety until you are ready to eat it.

Store in the Refrigerator: Apples (>7 days), apricots, berries, cherries, cut fruits, grapes, herbs, mushrooms, green beans, beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, cut veggies, leafy greens, summer squash, sweet corn

Ripen on the counter, then store in the refrigerator: Peaches and pears

Store at room temperature: Apples (<7 days), bananas, citrus fruits, watermelon, muskmelon, basil (in water), *cucumbers, *eggplant, **garlic, **onions, *peppers, **potatoes, pumpkins, **sweet potatoes, tomatoes, winter squash.

*Cucumbers, eggplant and peppers can be kept refrigerated 1-3 days if they are used soon after removal from the refrigerator.

**Store garlic, onions, potatoes, and sweet potatoes in a well-ventilated area in the pantry.

Simply Produce is now in Jewell & Smith Counties!

Posted on by djbechard

Simply Produce is now in Jewell & Smith Counties!

“Simply Produce” offers customers approximately 15 pounds of produce for $15.00.  Produce baskets will contain a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables and may vary slightly from what is typically available on the produce department’s shelves.  Basket contents will be different for each ordering period as well.  In addition to produce, customers will receive a recipe highlighting basket items, as well as educational materials on food storage and produce handling.

Produce baskets are purchased through the Grocery store register and must be paid for at time of ordering.  The purchase is taxable. 

  • Gene’s Heartland Details: For the next distribution, baskets must be ordered February 10th through February 15th (cutoff time 12pm) and distribution is set for February 18th from 12-12:30pm at the Mary’s Parish Hall, 403 US-36 in Smith Center. Customers will drive up to the Parish Hall and volunteers will bring out their -purchased basket(s). Distribution will be held on the 3rd Friday of each month. Contact Gene’s -Heartland by calling 785-282-3331

  • Kier’s Thriftway Details: For the next distribution, baskets must be ordered February 16th-22nd (cutoff time 12pm) and distribution is set for March 1 from 12-12:30pm at Kier’s Thriftway, 115 W Jefferson St, Mankato, KS. Distribution will be held on the 1st Tuesday of each month. Contact Kier’s by calling 785-378-3192.

By: Ashley Svaty

National Fruits and Veggies Month

Posted on by mjsaxton@ksu.edu

Summer is filled with colorful fruits and vegetables, from watermelon to melons, tomatoes to greens, and many more. It’s the season to indulge in foods that are tasty and good for you, too.

September is National Fruits and veggies Month and it’s a great time to learn the many benefits of fruits and veggies to motivate you to include more in each meal and snack.

The fiber in produce helps keep you full, helps improve digestion and helps reduce risks and effects of several diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and more. Many fruits and vegetables are packed with vitamins and minerals that our bodies can’t produce on their own. As a general rule, it’s recommended to fill at least half of your plate with fruits and vegetables to ensure you’re consuming enough.

It’s important to remember that all forms of fruits and vegetables count-fresh, frozen, dried, and canned. When purchasing canned produce, look for “no salt added” or “canned in 100% juice”. When we consume more fruits and vegetables, we lower our calorie intake and reduce our intake of high-calories foods.

More information on incorporating fruits and vegetables into your daily diet plan – not just in September – is available from several sources, including:

By: Ashley Svaty

Deliciously Eat More Fruits and Vegetables Throughout Your Day!

Posted on by mjsaxton@ksu.edu

When you think about your overall eating pattern, do you believe you make every bite count? “Make Every Bite County” is the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans theme, and to me that theme is perfect! When I think about making every bite count, I think of focusing on naturally colorful and nutrient dense fruits and vegetables, along with whole grains, lean proteins, and calcium rich dairy foods. When we focus towards those foods when we are hungry, we will be less likely to gravitate towards more processed foods. Use the following tips to eat more nutrient rich fruits and vegetables throughout your day, you will be glad you did!

Breakfast:

  • Add bananas, raisins or berries to cereal or oatmeal.
  • Drink a small glass of 100% fruit or vegetables juice (not “fruit drink”, “cocktail”, or “punch”).
  • Add chopped vegetables to eggs such as onions, bell peppers, spinach, mushrooms, or tomatoes.

Lunch:

  • Have a fruit or vegetable salad with lunch.
  • Put vegetables on your sandwich, such as cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes, lettuce, or avocado
  • Have a piece of fruit or raw veggie sticks instead of chips.

Snacks:

  • Carry dried fruit, such as raisins, dates, or dried apricots in your purse.
  • Have any type of fresh fruit: grapes, apples, bananas, oranges, kiwi, etc.
  • On hot days, munch on a bowl of frozen fruit such as grapes, bananas, or strawberries.

Dinner:

  • Have a fruit or vegetable salad with dinner.
  • Add a side of steamed or microwaved vegetables-frozen veggies are fine!
  • Add chopped vegetables like onions, garlic and celery when cooking soup, stew, beans, rice, or spaghetti sauce.

Source: American Heart Association

By: Ashley Svaty

Smith County Simply Produce

Posted on by mjsaxton@ksu.edu

“Simply Produce” offers customers approximately 15 pounds of produce for $15.00.  Produce baskets will contain a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables and may vary slightly from what is typically available on the produce department’s shelves.  Basket contents will be different for each ordering period as well.  In addition to produce, customers will receive a recipe highlighting basket items, as well as educational materials on food storage and produce handling.

Produce baskets are purchased through the participating grocery store’s register and must be paid for at time of ordering.  The purchase is taxable. 

For the June distribution, baskets must be ordered June 10th through June 15th at Noon and distribution is set for June 18th from 12-12:30pm at the Mary’s Parish Hall, 403 US-36 in Smith Center. Customers will drive up to the Parish Hall and volunteers will bring out their purchased basket(s).

Produce basket distribution that utilizes local retail venues is designed to increase access to healthy fruits and vegetables for consumers, while stimulating positive economic impact and building regional food system sustainability. We are proud to partner with Gene’s Heartland Foods to promote this great opportunity for our residents.

For more information, please contact Post Rock Extension agents, Ashley Svaty (asvaty@ksu.edu) or Brenda Langdon (bklangdon@ksu.edu).

Simply Produce is Coming to Smith County!

Posted on by mjsaxton@ksu.edu

Gene’s Heartland Foods of Smith Center and Post Rock Extension are excited to announce the implementation of a produce basket program!  “Simply Produce” offers customers approximately 15 pounds of produce for $15.00.  Produce baskets will contain a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables and may vary slightly from what is typically available on the produce department’s shelves.  Basket contents will be different for each ordering period as well.  In addition to produce, customers will receive a recipe highlighting basket items, as well as educational materials on food storage and produce handling.

Produce baskets are purchased through the Grocery store register and must be paid for at time of ordering.  The purchase is taxable.  For the first distribution, baskets must be ordered April 8 through April 13th at Noon prior to the distribution days which will occur on the third Friday of each month. April’s distribution is set for April 16th from 12-12:30pm at the Mary’s Parish Hall, 403 US-36 in Smith Center. Customers will drive up to the Parish Hall and volunteers will bring out their purchased basket(s).

Produce basket distribution that utilizes local retail venues is designed to increase access to healthy fruits and vegetables for consumers, while stimulating positive economic impact and building regional food system sustainability. We are proud to partner with Gene’s Heartland Foods to promote this great opportunity for our residents.

For more information, please contact Post Rock Extension agents, Ashley Svaty (asvaty@ksu.edu) or Brenda Langdon (bklangdon@ksu.edu).  Volunteers are needed to assist during distribution days.  If you are interested in volunteering, please contact the Extension Office. Follow us on Facebook to stay updated on future distributions at https://www.facebook.com/postrockextension/ 

 

By: Ashley Svaty