Picking Produce … Does it Matter if it’s Fresh or Frozen?

Finding fresh fruits and vegetables is easy at this time of year! Freshly-picked, ripe fruits and vegetables are the most nourishing because the nutrient content is the highest.

Once picked, produce will quickly lose its color, flavor and nutrients. So frozen produce can be a better choice if you are not able to eat the freshly-picked produce in a timely manner. Frozen produce is picked ripe and “flash frozen”, saving the beneficial nutrients.

Are you meeting the dietary guidelines of 2 ½ cups of vegetables and 2 cups of fruit per day? You will benefit nutritionally when you do! So, when you shop for your produce, remember that your first choice would be to pick fresh, seasonal produce and eat it soon. The second choice would be to buy frozen produce. Look to see if “USDA fancy” is available.