Fresh Fruits and

VegetablesChoosing the right

variety for you

Fresh Fruits & Vegetables

Fresh fruits & vegetables are known as produce. Many fresh F & V’s are available only during

certain times of the year. Buying F & V’s that are in season is a wise choice. Produce is in season at the time of year it is

harvested. For example, strawberries are harvested in April & May. They are abundant during these months, so they cost less. Although strawberries may be available in other months, they are not plentiful. Therefore, they are more expensive. Remember: Supply & Demand!

In spite of higher prices, produce that is not in season may be of lower quality.

Produce costs less, is fresher, and offers a better selection when it is in season.

Many people prefer the flavors and textures of fresh produce to canned, frozen, or dried products, however. Fresh produce does not last as long.

Produce may lose quality and nutrients during storage.

To get your money’s worth, buy only as much as you can eat within a few days.

Tips for Choosing Produce

When buying produce, you should get the highest quality you can find.

You may have trouble picking good produce without tasting it.

Using the following tips will help you learn to spot the best items:

# 1Select mature, ripe fruits and

vegetables.These are usually medium in

size.Immature produce is often

small.Unusually large produce may

be overripe.

# 2Check the firmness of the

product.Oranges, apples, carrots, and

cucumbers should be firm to the touch.

Peaches, nectarines, tomatoes, and pears should be a little less firm.

Never press too hard on produce; it bruises easily.

# 3High quality citrus fruits,

such as oranges and grapefruit, is heavy for its size.

The heavier the fruit, the juicer it will be.

# 4Look for bright colors in fruits

and vegetables. Skins should not be bruised (having dark, soft spots) or faded.

# 5 Do not buy produce with bruises, cracks,

wilting, shriveling, yellowing, or soft spots. These are signs of old, overripe, low-quality

produce. This produce has declined flavor and

nutrient value.

Frozen Fruits & Vegetables

When fruits and vegetables are frozen, their quality stays similar to the quality of fresh.

When thawed or cooked, these products look and taste much like fresh. However, the texture may be less crisp than that of fresh produce.

Unlike fresh produce, you can buy most frozen fruits and vegetables year-round. This makes them more convenient to use than fresh produce.

Some F & V’s are frozen in mixes or with sauces for convenience.

When buying frozen F & V’s, make sure the items are frozen solid. Items that are partially thawed will not last as long. These items may not taste as good, either.

Select packages that are clean and free of rips and holes.

Canned Fruits & Vegetables

Like frozen, canned fruits and vegetables are available year-round. However, the canning process can change the flavors of fruits and vegetables. Also, textures tend to become softer from the canning process.

Canned F & V’s can be sold whole, sliced, or in pieces.

Most vegetables are packed in water, and most fruits are packed in their own juices or syrup. (Syrups add to the calories in fruits).

Some F & V’s may be packed in sauces, such as cream corn or cherry pie filling.

When buying canned items, choose cans that are free of dents, bulges, or leaks.

Foods in these cans have a high risk of causing food poisoning. What is one form of bacteria we have talked about?

Botulism

 severe poisoning from ingestion of botulin, or toxins from bacteria, which affects the central nervous system producing difficulty in swallowing, visual disturbances, and respiratory paralysis: often fatal 

Dried Fruits & Vegetables

Dried F & V’s last several months without refrigeration or freezing.

They are lighter than other forms of F & V’s because the water in them is removed. This makes them handy for traveling and camping.

The flavors and textures of dried items differ from fresh, even if they are rehydrated, (have the water added back to them). However, many people enjoy the changed flavors.

Dried fruits are more common than dried vegetables. Raisins, prunes, figs, and apricots are common.

Other fruits, such as apples, bananas, pineapple, and peaches, can also be dried.

Dried fruits are popular as snack foods. They may also be added to cakes, cereals,

and other foods.

Dried fruits are often packaged in sealed bags or boxes.

Resealing these packages after opening will help dried fruits stay fresh longer.

Most fruits are best if they are fairly soft and pliable. This includes raisins and apricots.

Some dried fruits, such as bananas, are designed to be crisp like chips.

Peas, beans, and lentils are the vegetables most often dried.

Other dried vegetables may be included in dried soup mixes or food packages designed for hiking and camping.

Dried vegetables have a hard, brittle texture. They are almost always rehydrated and cooked

before eating. Packages should be well sealed and free of moisture. Once moisture reaches dried vegetables, they will

not keep as long.

Getting Your Money’s Worth

With careful shopping, you can save money without giving up quality of fruits and vegetables.

If you prefer fresh, buy items that are in season. You may even find these items to be less costly

than canned or frozen items. If you want a fruit or vegetable that is not in

season, frozen or canned may be a better buy. Canned items are usually less expensive than

frozen.

Among produce, price does not always reflect quality. Different types of apples, for instance, may vary in

price. A larger type of apple may be more expensive than a smaller type, but the smaller type may taste just as good.

Another apple may be imported from another area. This could add to the cost, but not the flavor.

Once you decide on the type you prefer, choose the best pieces you can find.

This is easiest if you buy produce that is not already packaged.

$$$$$$$$$$$$ You can save money on frozen, canned, and

dried items by choosing generic or store brands.

These often cost less than name brands even though they are similar in quality.

If you are using an item in a recipe where appearance is not important, you may choose lower grade canned items instead of top quality items.

? - Buying Fruits & Vegetables

1. As a consumer, which forms of fruits and vegetables do you prefer in terms of”

Quality?__________________________________________ Cost?____________________________________________ Convenience?_____________________________________

2. How do fresh F & V’s that are in season compare with those that are out of season in terms of quality and price?

????

3. Why should you avoid produce with bruises, cracks, wilting, shriveling, yellowing, or soft spots?

4. Why is frozen produce more convenient than fresh produce?

5. Why should you make sure the frozen F & V’s you buy are frozen solid?

????

6. How do canned fruits and vegetables compare to fresh and frozen forms?

7. When buying canned fruits and vegetables, why should you avoid cans with dents, bulges, and leaks?

8. Why are dried fruits and vegetables lighter in weight than other forms of fruits and vegetables?