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One of the great pleasures of summer is the abundance of fresh fruit and veggies and we’re often asked how we always deliver produce at its peak? Our buyers maintain relationships with local growers, and our field inspectors travel year round to visit farmers so that we can bring you the best-tasting fresh, ripe produce. Now is the time to load up on peak-of-season produce. But what to do with all those summer favorites? From salsas to smoothies, we’ve got lots of ideas for you to fully enjoy all that summer has to offer. Creative Uses for Summer’s Best Besides making irresistible snacks all by themselves, summer-ripe fruits and veggies add bright flavor to salads, appetizers and desserts. Try these creative ways to use seasonal faves:

1. Melons – Purée with water and a few drops of agave nectar for easy aguas frescas and summer cocktails.
2. Berries – Toss into smoothies. Blend and freeze for simple sorbets and granitas. Mash and simmer to make jams, sauces and fruit syrups to drizzle over pancakes and waffles or spread onto toast. Try this super quick and easy strawberry jam.
3. Peaches, cherries and other stone fruits – Add to fresh summer salsa to spoon over grilled meats. Slice and stir into sangria or macerate in liquor to create fruity cocktails. Enjoy over ice cream.
4. Grapes – Use as a decorative, edible garnish or centerpiece. Thread onto skewers and freeze to enjoy as icy “fruit-sicles” on hot afternoons. Or, try these double grape slushies to keep summer chill.
5. Heirloom tomatoes – Mix up bold, no-cook sauces with fresh herbs and heirloom tomatoes while at their peak in July and August.

Summer-ize Your Salsa

Fresh salsa is so easy to make and a great way to use summer’s fresh fruits and veggies. Add these seasonal summer ingredients to homemade salsa for a fresh surprise and flavor boost:

• Fresh or grilled corn kernels sliced from the cob
• Mango and avocado
• Strawberries
• Watermelon

5 Steps for Smoothie Success

It’s peak season for fresh fruit smoothies! To make the most of these fun blender concoctions, follow these simple steps:

Step 1. Start with a base of yogurt, pure fruit juice, milk or a non-dairy substitute. Step 2. Add fresh fruits of your choice. Consider tossing in veggies like grated carrots, chopped kale or baby spinach, too! Step 3. If you prefer sweeter smoothies, drizzle in honey, maple syrup or agave nectar to taste instead of refined sugar. Step 4. Toss in fresh mint, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla or cayenne to spice things up. Step 5. Amp up your snack with extra nutrition by adding ground flaxseeds or flaxseed oil, green foods powder, protein powder, acidophilus or wheat germ.

Now’s the time to enjoy the great fresh flavors of summer so go ahead and load up on the season’s best! What are your ideas for using peak-season fruit and veggies?