Our top tips when shopping for vegetables and fruit
1. Eat seasonally
Eating in-season means you eat food at its best and it’s usually less expensive too. Using UK seasonal produce reduces our carbon footprint by cutting food miles and the need for energy intensive greenhouses. Eat Seasonablyoffers information on what’s in season each month and how to make the best of it with top tips and recipes.
2. Buy locally produced
After picking fruits and vegetables can start to lose flavour and nutrients. Locally produced vegetables and fruit can be picked and delivered to your door within days so they can be fresher and more nutritious than those you might find in a supermarket. Buying direct from the farmer either through a veg box scheme or at a farmers marketcan benefit the local economy and help reconnect consumers with where their food comes from
3. Buy loose
Always choose loose vegetables and fruit – you’ll be reducing the amount of packaging you bring home and potentially your food waste too as you only buy what you need. Packaged food is often more expensive, so buying loose can also save you money. We’re lucky in Brighton & Hove to have many independent shopsthat stock locally produced loose fruit and vegetables.
4. Find out which veg and fruit have the highest pesticide residues
The application of pesticides to fruit and vegetables can happen at all stages of production so the residues may be still on the produce. Research shows that pesticides can be harmful for our health and for the health of wildlife, so buying organic might be the best option. However, some organic produce can seem more expensive. Our friends at the Pesticide Action Network have compiled a list of the top 20 vegetables and fruits with the highest pesticide residues found on them so you can pick and choose which of the produce you buy would be best to opt for organic.
5. Buy wonky
Some farmers in the UK have up to 10 tonnes of produce rejected on a weekly basis, solely for the reason that this produce is ‘ugly’. This means farmers have to constantly over-produce in order to meet these targets. This unwanted produce ends up wasted either in landfill, as animal feed or ploughed back into the land. Buying wonky veg helps farmers sell more of their crop and plan production with greater accuracy.
FAQs
Firm produce without soft spots indicates it is fresh. Often the more fragrant it is, the more flavorful it will be. Color is a good way to gauge the ripeness and freshness of the produce. Bright, vibrant colors are a good sign that the vegetable is full of phytonutrients, maximizing the nutritional value.
What are the tips in selecting vegetables and fruits? ›
Firm produce without soft spots indicates it is fresh. Often the more fragrant it is, the more flavorful it will be. Color is a good way to gauge the ripeness and freshness of the produce. Bright, vibrant colors are a good sign that the vegetable is full of phytonutrients, maximizing the nutritional value.
What are 2 tips from smart shopping for veggies and fruits? ›
Compare prices to find the best buys.
- Buy “in season” produce which often costs less and is at peak flavor. ...
- Choose fruits canned in 100% fruit juice and vegetables with “low-sodium” or “no salt added” on the label. ...
- If you have the freezer space, stock up on frozen vegetables without added sauces or butter.
Seasonal fruits and vegetables are of higher quality and less expensive. Choose fresh-cut fruits and vegetables that are refrigerated or surrounded by ice. Fruits and vegetables that have already been halved or opened in some way should be stored and displayed in a chilled environment.
What qualities should you look for when buying vegetables? ›
When shopping for vegetables, key factors are firmness and color. Choose those that are as firm or crisp as possible and consistent in coloring. Unlike fruit, smell doesn't play a big factor in a vegetable's freshness, although anything that smells overly sweet or sour is likely passed its prime.
When shopping for vegetables, you should look at what 5 factors.? ›
How to select vegetables:
- Consider the intended use. ...
- Buy in season. ...
- Consider the storage available. ...
- Handle produce gently. ...
- Choose high-quality vegetables. ...
- Just before going to the grocery store checkout counter, pick up frozen vegetables that are frozen solid and get them to your freezer as quickly as possible.
5 smart food-shopping tips
- Take inventory. Use a meal planner as part of your healthy-eating strategy to guide your shopping. ...
- Make a list. ...
- Shop the perimeter of the store for fresh foods. ...
- Don't shop when you're hungry. ...
- Read nutrition labels. ...
- How's your mindset?
Keep frozen vegetables on hand so you always have a vegetable available to incorporate into your meals. This will also reduce the number of trips you take to the store. Plus, frozen vegetables are just as – and sometimes more – nutritious as fresh varieties.
What are 5 tips to help you with choosing healthier foods when grocery shopping and creating meals? ›
Here are five strategies for healthier grocery shopping:
- Shop with Your Brain, Not Your Blood Sugar. Don't go grocery shopping when you're hungry. ...
- Make a Grocery List. ...
- Stick to the Store's Perimeter. ...
- Use Nutrition Labels as a Roadmap. ...
- Offer Kids Healthier Options.
Produce Shopping on a Budget: Ways to Save on Fresh Fruits and...
- Make a List. When buying fresh produce, remember some items have a shorter shelf life. ...
- Buy Local. ...
- Stock Up on Seasonal Produce. ...
- Know Your Produce Department. ...
- Befriend the Produce Manager.
Quality factors for fruits include the following— maturity, firmness, the uniformity of size and shape, the absence of defects, skin and flesh color. Many of the same quality factors are described for vegetables, with the addition of texture-related attributes such as turgidity, toughness, and tenderness.
What are two advantages of buying fruits and vegetables in season? ›
Seasonal produce is higher quality. Fruits and vegetables are fresher and higher quality when they're in season. They also tend to have richer flavor. Fruits and vegetables that are grown out of season are modified with chemicals and may lose some of their nutritional benefits.
What are the 5 characteristics of quality vegetables? ›
DISCUSSION: Quality of fresh vegetables is generally based on the chemical composition or physical characteristics or a combination of these two factors. Features of interest to the consumers are visual appearance, texture and firmness, sensory, nutritional and food safety.
What is the best time to buy fruits and vegetables? ›
Seasonal produce: When to buy these popular fruits and veggies
- Strawberries: May through June. ...
- Corn: July through September. ...
- Blueberries: July through August. ...
- Peppers: July through October. ...
- Apples: July through October. ...
- Watermelon: August through October.
1) Select fresh fruits and vegetables, Which are firm, crisp, bright in colour, with no visible bruises or signs of decay and wilting. 2) Buy seasonal fruits and vegetables, as the quality is high and the price low. 3). Select clean leafy vegetables, which are tender, crisp and brightly coloured.
What are the considerations involved when choosing a selection of fruits and vegetables? ›
Use your Senses
In general, produce that's too soft is too ripe; if it's too hard, it's not ripe enough. Try the sniff test, too. With certain fruits, like peaches and melons, a strong scent means they're ripening nicely.
What factors affect fruit and vegetable selection? ›
Factors covered include sensory appeal, familiarity and habit, social interactions, cost, availability, time constraints, personal ideology, media and advertising and health.
Why is the selection of fruits and vegetables important? ›
Fruits and vegetables contain important vitamins, minerals and plant chemicals. They also contain fibre. There are many varieties of fruit and vegetables available and many ways to prepare, cook and serve them. A diet high in fruit and vegetables can help protect you against cancer, diabetes and heart disease.
