Get It While It's Fresh! // Cucumber and Tomato Salad

June is National Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Month. It has warmed up in Utah, and locally grown, fresh produce is easy to find! Whether you are harvesting from your own garden or purchasing it from somewhere else, it is a great time to refocus on including fresh fruits and veggies in your diet.

If you don’t have a garden, but would still like access to fresh fruits and vegetables, consider visiting your local farmers market. Click here to browse by zip code and find a list of farmers markets and farm stores near you.

Another resource to check out is the Double Up Food Bucks Progam. Take your Food Stamp Horizon Card to a participating farmers market to get up to $10 of free Utah-grown produce! Check out the participating locations below.It is true that fruits and vegetables are packed with nutrients. That isn’t the only reason you should add them to you plate. Prepared in a variety of different ways, their color, flavor, and texture can bring something new to every meal. Try grilling mushrooms, peppers, potatoes, and onions on a kabob skewer to serve beside your favorite meat. Even fruits, like pineapple and mangoes, are great on the grill. Almost any vegetable makes a nice addition to a stir fry. Give asparagus, cauliflower, and peas a try. Add bananas, apples, or peaches to your breads and muffins for a healthy dessert option. Click here for more creative ways to add fruits and vegetables to your meals.

One of my new favorite fresh vegetable recipes is Cucumber Tomato Salad.