June has arrived! This month sure is a special one here in the northern hemisphere. Summer is upon us, and we get to celebrate the longest days of the year with play dates, sunshine, and the most delightful fruits and veggies. From juicy mangos to colorful beets, June is a mouth watering month for seasonal produce!
One of Mother Nature’s amazing fruits harvested in June is blueberries. Organic blueberries are ALSO one of the spectacular whole food ingredients found in Chocolate Kiki Milk! Not only are they loaded with antioxidants, fiber, vitamin C and vitamin K, they’re also known to support healthy skin, reduce inflammation, and lower bad cholesterol. Not to mention, they’re absolutely delicious!
When you head to your local Farmer’s Market this month, see if you can find fresh blueberries – and give them a try! How flavorful they are is just ONE of the benefits of shopping seasonally. Read on for more perks (it’s the magic of nature!), including our favorite tips for navigating this month’s bounty.
Curious what amazing REAL foods – grown straight from the earth – are in season this month?
Download our June produce guide (save it to your phone, post it on your fridge, or Pin it to your board!), to assist your upcoming Farmer’s Market adventures.
What are the benefits of shopping seasonally for produce?
Shopping seasonally means you get fresher and more flavorful produce. Fruits and veggies are bursting with goodness as they are harvested at their peak ripeness, in harmony with Mother Nature. Seasonal produce is kinder on the environment, too, as it often travels fewer miles to reach your plate and requires less resources for cultivation.
What are some tips for navigating our local Farmer’s Market?
- Grab your reusable bags or a nifty basket and set out early! Some vendors might sell out before the market closes, so this will give you the best selection. If it’s your first time at a particular market, take a stroll to compare prices, quality, and to note any certifications that may be important to you. (For example, we love buying organic when possible.)
- Next, get chatty! Have conversations with vendors (quite often, these are the farmers themselves) who can offer a plethora of insight, such as how their produce was grown, detecting ripeness, and advice on how to prepare your bounty.
- Stalls will often provide samples, too! Enjoy your share of these generous taste tests; it’s the perfect chance to try new varieties of fruits and vegetables you haven’t encountered before.
What can kiddos learn from seasonal eating?
Munching on fruits and veggies that are in season can help kids discover just how miraculous nature really is! They can witness how food grows in harmony with nature’s rhythms, which whole foods flourish at different times of the year, and why they taste the BEST when they’re ripe and ready.
How can I get my family involved?
Rally your entire crew for a fun Farmer’s Market excursion! Samples are not only enticing, they’re also an easy and delicious way to illustrate just HOW GOOD in-season fruits and veggies taste. Let each family member get involved with picking out their favorites. That way, there's a good chance there will be a kitchen full of sous chefs later on, ready to prepare the market’s harvest!
