Thinking Out of the Fruit Box

Annual fundraising campaigns featuring bulk fresh fruit is a win-win for residents living in Richland County. Throughout the year, organizations like PEO, Kiwanis and 4-H take advantage of selling boxes of seasonal fruit including peaches, apples, pears, oranges and grapefruits to benefit their respective cause.

According to the USDA, the daily recommendation of fruit needed each day ranges from 1 ½ to 2 cups of raw or cooked fruit. This recommended amount is dependent of an individual’s age, sex and level of physical activity.

One of the benefits of buying a box of fruit from one of these organizations is that the fundraising campaigns correspond with the peak of harvest. For example, the peaches sold by PEO are picked fresh and ripe in Colorado and delivered within a few days in a refrigerator truck. The same is true for Kiwanis apples and pears as well as 4-H oranges and grapefruit. The fruit is harvested during the peak of its season and delivered accordingly.

Another benefit to buying bulk fresh fruit is preserving it for the long winter season. Freezing or canning fresh produce is an added bonus to ensuring tasty fruit is stocked in the pantry or freezer for a cold winter day. Typically, buying fruits in season can lower the cost and add to the freshness!

However, when it comes to fundraising – spending a little extra money for a box of fruit to assist women with education or kid programs in our community seems well worth it. So the next time a non-profit organization approaches you to buy a box of fruit, thank them for bringing fresh seasonal fruit to the community.

As noted on the USDA website, eating fruit provides health benefits – people who eat more fruits and vegetables as part of an overall healthy diet are likely to have reduced risk of some chronic diseases. Fruits provide nutrients vital for health and maintenance of your body.

For more information about nutrition and healthy recipes, check out the local Richland County Nutrition Coalition Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/1rcnc1, and the Pinterest page at http://www.pinterest.com/1rcnc1

 

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