Produce Training Supplement
Before grocery and mass supermarkets existed, there was the fruit and vegetable stand. Fresh produce grown by hard-working hands, rich with flavor and nutrients, and always purchased with gratitude. Our farmstore started this way over 111 years ago, growing over the years from a farm stand to a well-established grocery, continuing to provide carefully prepared foods and fresh produce to the community. That being said, produce is one of the most important departments at this store.
Produce and the Body
Produce gives us life- most every vitamin and nutrient that the human body needs can be found in fruits and vegetables. We rely on quality produce for the health of our families, to power our days, and to protect our bodies from illness.
The Privilege of Fresh Produce
The USDA reported in 2010 that 23.5 million people in the US live in food deserts. This means that they live more than a mile from a supermarket in urban or suburban areas, and more than 10 miles from a supermarket in rural areas. Food deserts tend to have lower-income inhabitants with limited means of mobility, making those areas less appealing to large supermarket chains. Because of the low supply of fresh foods, the products that are readily available in food deserts are processed, high in sugar, preserved, precooked, etc. – leading to the increase in obesity within the U.S. population. Fresh produce is a luxury in parts of the U.S., a good thing to keep in mind going forward.
Why Do We Have Produce Training?
With so many different fruits and vegetables in the world, it can be hard to identify each one. We want everyone to have a full understanding of each variety available here at our farmstore, to better assist customers. Being able to easily identify produce will also help speed up your check-out process. In addition, if a customer asks for produce advice, having a basic understanding can make or break a sale. We get some unique produce here throughout the year, so get excited!
Julianne Scott 