February’s focus on locally-grown frozen produce is berry mania! Strawberries, blueberries and raspberries are perfect for heart-healthy eating or heart-warming Valentine’s cooking. In addition to the berry trio, the we’ll have at market asparagus, cauliflower, edamame (in pods) and sweet corn, plus other local goodies.
This year our strawberries came from two local growers: Ed Judson of E&S Produce in Palmyra and David Daisy of Daisy Farms near Dowagiac. Whole Foods shoppers might have enjoyed Ed’s early-blooming varieties of strawberries, and Ann Arbor Farmers Market shoppers might have met David Daisy at the market with his luscious gems. A third generation farmer, David primarily raises plants-over 20 varieties of strawberry plants, plus raspberry, blueberry, blackberry, gooseberry, grapes, asparagus, rhubarb and horseradish.
The heart-shaped silhouette of the strawberry is a clue that you will love this fruit. Strawberries are full of vitamins, fiber and particularly high levels of antioxidant polyphenols, so they help protect your heart, increase good cholesterol, lower blood pressure, and guard against cancer. One serving of strawberries provides more vitamin C than an orange! And these local strawberries are delicious. What’s not to love?
Hope to see you at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market
Saturday, February 8 and February 15
8 am – 1:30 pm.
We heart strawberries!
