While winter weather hasn’t left many of us, spring is here and sunnier days are coming soon.  With better weather comes more activities, gatherings and meal sharing.  And fruits and vegetables are an important part of any spring menu.  Here are some great ways to celebrate spring with fruits and vegetables and a reminder about the importance of produce in your daily diet.

Learn From Dietitians:  Do you struggle with incorporating more fruits and vegetables into your daily diet?  Is your food budget stretched?  Use the Alliance for Food and Farming’s (AFF) Quick Tips section where registered dietitians share their usage ideas for easily including more produce in your daily diet as well as money saving hacks when shopping for fruits and vegetables.

Visit a Farmers’ Market:  Time to stroll through your local farmers’ market and see and sample all the great locally grown fruits and vegetables.  Use the AFF’s Farmers’ Market Guide to help you select responsible vendors and learn more about farming practices.

A Healthier, Happier You:  Do you want to emerge from winter happier and healthier?  Eat more fruits and vegetables every day, which are packed with vitamins and antioxidants that have been shown to improve health, prevent diseases and increase lifespan.  (Read our guest blog by Dr. Sylvia Klinger to learn more about how antioxidants work to prevent diseases.) Plus studies show people who eat lots of produce are happier too!

Celebrate Spring Break and Easter:  Don’t forget to stock plenty of fruits and vegetables for spring break.  Whether you are staying at home or traveling, fruits and vegetables make easy and healthy snacks.  And there’s nothing better than a great fruit salad on any spring menu.  Easter? Don’t forget the chocolate dipped strawberries your guests and your family will love.

Remember, you can choose either organic or conventional produce with confidence because decades of studies and government data show both are safe.  So enjoy the fruits and vegetables that are affordable and accessible to you.  And, don’t let any one or any group discourage you from eating the fruits and vegetables you and your family love.