{"id":12242,"date":"2016-05-19T17:04:14","date_gmt":"2016-05-19T17:04:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.nutritionknowhow.org\/blog\/?p=12242"},"modified":"2016-05-19T17:04:14","modified_gmt":"2016-05-19T17:04:14","slug":"farmers-markets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nutritionknowhow.org\/blog\/d\/farmers-markets\/","title":{"rendered":"Farmers Markets"},"content":{"rendered":"

When you work at the Extension Office, you can tell spring has arrived by a couple of signs.\u00a0 First, the master gardeners have come back and have started answering gardening calls–lots of them!\u00a0 The second sign is the start of local farmers markets.\u00a0 Many have started–and others will start soon.<\/p>\n

Farmers markets are places where you can purchase local produce, and in many cases other locally produced items.\u00a0 The positive aspect of local produce is that it is fresh–probably just picked right before the market opened, and not shipped and stored for days–but maybe rode in on a truck for an hour.\u00a0 Fresh.\u00a0 Full of nutrients.\u00a0 Produce at its best.<\/p>\n

Once you purchase it–you want to keep it that way.\u00a0 The longer produce sits around your house, the more nutrients it looses.\u00a0 When manufacturers of canned and frozen vegetables and fruits preserve their produce, it is picked and preserved the same day.\u00a0 It is at the peak of it’s nutrient content.<\/p>\n

So what does that mean for you-the local consumer?\u00a0 It means you should consider how and when you are going to use your fresh produce before purchasing it.\u00a0 A good rule of thumb is to purchase fresh produce to use in the beginning of the week, then use canned and frozen at the end of the week, so nothing spoils or is wasted.\u00a0 Planning ahead will save you money and nutrients!<\/p>\n

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Another problem people have at farmers markets is knowing how to pick produce that is ripe, or if it will ripen after you get it home.\u00a0 UNL in collaboration with Missouri Extension has developed an app titled “Seasonal and Simple”.<\/a>\u00a0 Seasonal and simple is a guide to help you find, select, store, and prepare fresh fruits and vegetables. The recipes use simple preparations and seasonings, so you can taste the goodness of a fruit or vegetable at the peak of its flavor.\u00a0It also directs the user to a farmers market near you, with the times it is open and directions to get there.\u00a0 It works across the entire state of Nebraska!\u00a0 It is a free app\u00a0that works with IOS or android devices.\u00a0 It can also be downloaded on to your desktop.\u00a0 It is very handy to use when picking out produce!<\/p>\n

Another handy item developed by two dietitians from UNL is a Guide to Food Safety and Selection at Farmers Markets<\/a>.\u00a0 It is a short informational piece that offers great ideas on getting the most out of your shopping experience!\u00a0 Check it out!<\/p>\n

This week berries and asparagus are in season.\u00a0 Try this simple recipe using strawberries this weekend–I know you will love it!<\/p>\n

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Balsamic-Macerated Strawberries with Basil<\/div>\n
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Author: Sarah Breckenridge from Fine Cooking<\/span><\/div>\n
Serve 4 as a dessert and six to eight as a filling or topping.<\/div>\n
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Ingredients<\/div>\n