A Guide to Purchasing Produce

We all want the best (and budget-friendly!) fruits and vegetables from the grocery store. With a variety of fresh, frozen, and canned produce options available, it’s hard to know which ones are the “best” choices for our families and our budgets. Let’s break it down together!

Fresh fruits and vegetables are the most crunchy and juicy. However, fresh produce can be expensive when it’s not in season. Many fresh fruits and veggies don’t store well and need to be eaten soon after purchase. 

Frozen produce can be on the expensive side, but it comes in large quantities and stores well. It’s a great option if you need a little bit of an ingredient - then refreeze the rest! 

Canned produce is a pantry staple that stores up to 2 years. Canned items are often on sale, so you can stock up. Canned and frozen produce is harvested at peak freshness before being processed, so you get all of the important vitamins and nutrients! 

For more information and a tasty recipe, watch this video by SNAP-Ed Nutrition Educator Allie Cook. She explains the pros and cons of purchasing fresh, frozen, or canned produce. And check out this quick and easy recipe demo to make Corn and Black Bean Salad.

Register for these upcoming SNAP-Ed offerings: 

Healthy Acadia’s Prevention Day Cooking Matters @ the Store Tour - Wednesday, June 2, 2021, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Healthy Acadia's Prevention Day Cooking Matters @ Store Tour - Thursday, June 3, 2021. 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.  

Cooking Matters at the Store with the Dorcas Library (virtual) - Thursday, June 3, 2021, noon to 1 p.m.

Cooking Matters at the Store with RSU #24 Adult Ed. (virtual) - Wednesday, June 9, 2021, noon to 1 p.m.

To learn more or sign up for a class, contact your local SNAP-Ed Nutrition Educator: Allie in Washington County, and Jada or Nicole in Hancock County.