Food and Health Communications

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Celebrate Fruit and Vegetable Month

June is Fruit and Vegetable Month. This also corresponds to the time of year when the produce section of the store is filled with a multitude of fresh selections – corn, tomatoes, melons, berries and more. There is no better time than now to start enjoying more fruits and vegetables. Here are ways to “dress up” your life for the celebration.Get cleaned upMake room for fruits and vegetables in your kitchen. Clean out your refrigerator so you will have room for more fruits and vegetables. Convert the deli drawer for fruit storage. Use one of the bottom produce drawers for salad and the other for vegetables in season.Dress up with colorDid you know that there are 5 color groups for fruits and vegetables?1) White/brown2) Yellow/orange3) Purple/blue4) Green5) RedTry to keep a variety of colors on hand so you can benefit from all of the nutrients and phytochemicals (beneficial plant chemicals) these color groups provide.Make plenty of food for your guests Prepare fruits and vegetables so they are ready for round-the-clock snacking.• Cube melons and place them in a covered dish in the refrigerator.• Wash berries and place them in bowls ready to put on cereal and yogurt.• Tossed salad lasts in a bowl for up to 2 days when it is not dressed.• Bananas, peaches, plums and tomatoes can be placed on the counter in a lovely basket or bowl.• Shuck corn and wrap in plastic. All you have to do is microwave for 2-3 minutes per ear.• Keep potatoes, along with fat-free sour cream and low-fat margarine on hand for snacks and meals.