Body: Nutrition
Keeping It Fresh
Honolulu is the nation’s leading market for fresh produce.
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In these times of economic uncertainty, there are predictable trends in consumer habits. One common reaction to rising commodity prices is a cutback in purchases of “luxury” items like fresh, local produce. Surprisingly, recent economic research shows Honolulu is an exception to this trend.
ASTEROP, Inc., a French research company that analyzes consumer habits, found that Honolulu residents led the nation as the top market for fresh produce. ASTEROP attributes this to an increased interest in eating fresh, local produce.
“Our farmers’ markets remain very busy on a weekly basis,” says Eleanor Nakama-Mitsunaga, director of Community Relations for the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, which helps sponsor Hawai‘i’s farmers’ markets. “Our customer base is very supportive of buying local.”
Eating fresh fruits and vegetables is an essential part of a healthful, wholesome lifestyle. When shopping for produce, remember these tips:
Find the nearest farmers’ market on the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture’s website.
ASTEROP, Inc., a French research company that analyzes consumer habits, found that Honolulu residents led the nation as the top market for fresh produce. ASTEROP attributes this to an increased interest in eating fresh, local produce.
“Our farmers’ markets remain very busy on a weekly basis,” says Eleanor Nakama-Mitsunaga, director of Community Relations for the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, which helps sponsor Hawai‘i’s farmers’ markets. “Our customer base is very supportive of buying local.”
Eating fresh fruits and vegetables is an essential part of a healthful, wholesome lifestyle. When shopping for produce, remember these tips:
- Go for vegetables with bright colors, which signal that they have an extra kick of phytonutrients.
- When choosing salad, pick dark, leafy vegetables; they have more vitamins and minerals than pale alternatives like iceberg lettuce.
- Eat vegetables raw, as opposed to cooking them, to retain more of their vitamins.
- Don’t forget the “5 fruits and vegetables a day” adage, with a 6-ounce glass of juice or a cup of lettuce equivalent to one serving.
Find the nearest farmers’ market on the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture’s website.