June brings the ripening and delicious consumption of fruits such as watermelon, strawberries and tomatoes, not to mention warm beach days and weekend BBQs. It seems only right that June is named National Fruit and Vegetable Month. Fruits and veggies should be an essential part of a human’s diet as it provides necessary nutrients, vitamins, and fibers to fuel us through the day. However, many Americans aren’t eating enough of these foods and it impacts their physical and mental health. Some of the negative consequences of avoiding these foods are declining cardiovascular health, inability to maintain a healthy body weight, vitamin deficiencies, and digestive issues.
You might be asking yourself, how many fruit and veggies are recommended to maintain a healthy life? Ultimately, that answer depends on your age, gender, and level of physical activity. According to the USDA, grown men and women should consume around 2 cups of fruit per day; this varies slightly for older women and young children. Additionally, men and women should average 2-3 cups of vegetables a day.
Here at MANNA we are proud that we are able to offer fresh produce every week to our clients. Our generous community partners and neighbors have provided us with freshly picked-home grown goods and fresh store donated produce. We are able to offer our clients a wide variety of fruits and veggies like berries, spinach, citrus fruits, and sweet potatoes.
Celebrate National Fruit and Vegetable month by fueling your body with healthy foods. MANNA always appreciates and welcomes your hearty garden and fruit tree extras!
Have a fruit tree, but don’t have the time to pick the fruit? Contact Food Forward, a local non-profit that gleans backyard fruits trees and donates the harvest to food pantries like Manna. To learn more about Food Forward or to schedule a home harvest, check out their website at www.foodforward.org.
To learn more about our organization and how to donate find us online at
www.mannaconejo.org
