Fresh Produce Objectives:

1. Learn about taking 5-a-day and why it is important
   
   
2. Identify nutrients available in fresh produce, understand their importance in the body, and select fruits and vegetables rich in them
   
   
3. Learn about advantages of buying produce when it is in season

Objective 1: Learn about taking “5-a-day” and why it is important

•5-a-day means that we should eat a combination of 5 fruits and vegetables a day. 

•By eating a variety of fruits and vegetables everyday, we get a good variety of nutrients and has been shown to help in lowering our risk for cancer and heart disease

Objective 2: Identify nutrients available in fresh produce, understand their importance in the body, and select fruits and vegetables rich in them

•Direct participants to look at the nutritional value chart for fruit

•Pay close attention to vitamins and fiber

•Vitamin A is important for healthy skin and eyes-good sources include apricots and cantaloupe

•Vitamin C is important for healthy gums, skin, and muscles-good sources include apricots, kiwi, grapefruit, oranges, peaches, pineapple, plums, and strawberries 

•Much of the fiber in fruit is found in the peel, so eat your apples and pears with the peel on

•Direct participants to look at the vegetable nutritional value chart

•Vitamin A:  carrots, greens (mustard and collard), romaine lettuce, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, spinach

•Vitamin C:  broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, corn, green beans, bell peppers, tomatoes

•Fiber:  broccoli (raw), cauliflower, lima beans, okra, spinach

•Calcium:  carrots, spinach, sweet potatoes

Objective 3: Learn about advantages of buying produce when it is in season

•Buying produce that is in season helps save money

•Apples: October-February and July-September

•Grapes: June-September

•Kiwi: February-July

•Peaches: May-August

•Bananas: Year-round

•Watermelon: June-September

•Cabbage:  May-September

•Collards:  October-June

•Potatoes:  year-round

•Broccoli:  October-December and August-September

•Carrots:  year-round