Hi Macaroni Kid Families!
Welcome to summer- a time when some of the best childhood memories are made. One of my most fond memories is going to the local farm stand and picking out fresh local produce with my mom. Local produce sure is delish- in fact, there is actual science behind the more intense flavors of fruits and veggies grown close to home. Since local produce doesn’t have to travel far to get to the store (and your plate!), it’s allowed to vine-ripen to the peak of freshness. This means it’s often younger, crisper, and therefore taster when it gets to your mouth. What’s even better than tasting great? Nutrition! Local produce also tends to have more nutrients since it doesn’t travel the globe to reach us, losing nutrients along the way.
So where can you get this fresh local produce? Giant, of course. At Giant, we work with local farms across the Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia areas to bring you and your family the best local produce there is. What do we have that’s local, you ask? Check out the list below for a few examples paired with inspiration that your whole family will love.
- Corn: Summertime always calls for sweet corn. Fun fact: corn is actually a grain, and it contains more antioxidants than most of its grain peers. Looking for a creative way to use it? Try a chilled corn soup to beat the heat: https://recipecenter.giantfood.com/recipes/155887/chilled-corn-soup
- Tomatoes: Vine-ripened tomatoes are sweet and juicy, making summer the perfect time to introduce this food to kids. As a bonus, they are full of heart-healthy lycopene and vitamin C, making them disease fighting machines! When introducing a new food, make sure to pair it with a familiar one, like in this recipe for chicken tacos: https://recipecenter.giantfood.com/recipes/152587/chicken-tacos-with-grilled-tomato-and-green-onion-salsa
- Watermelon: Looking for a fun way to hydrate your little ones? Watermelon is exceptionally juicy, so it’s a great-tasting way to get fluids in. Hydration isn’t the only benefit, though. Some studies link watermelon to lower blood pressure and less muscle soreness after exercise. For a way to add even more summertime magic to watermelon, make it into popsicles! Popsicles for breakfast? Yes please. https://recipecenter.giantfood.com/recipes/28802/watermelon-frozen-yogurt-pops
Just so ya know, at Giant we’ve got lots of other local products all year round. From our Bright Farms greens grown in Culpeper, Virginia to our Roseda beef farmed in Monkton, Maryland, we’ve got lots of local in store. Want more info? Check out this month’s digital-only Savory magazine: https://recipecenter.giantfood.com/savory/magazine
Until next time, eat well!
Emily
Emily Craft, MS, RDN, CSP, LDN is an in-store nutritionist for Giant Food. Emily has her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Delaware and her Master’s Degree in Health Education from Saint Joseph’s University. Emily’s background is in pediatrics and weight management and she loves helping families come together to enjoy healthy, delicious meals.For more information, go to https://giantfood.com/live-well/health-and-wellness/nutritionists/.
