Page 13 - KootenaiHealth

By shopping locally, Scott said, it’s possible to fnd a larger variety of items that are fresher and tastier than some of their store-bought counterparts.

“There’s a lot of value in shopping local,” she said. “not only are you giving back to your community, but it’s a great way to break away from the standard ‘winter fruits’ that we get the rest of the year.”

Head chef Robert “chef Bob” Mcdaniel said there are many ben-efts to shopping at farmers markets. “you’re supporting the local econ-omy, fnding the freshest in-season foods, and many items are free of chemicals, pesticides and may even be organic,” he said.

chef Bob, Boysen and Scott believe that shopping through local vendors and farmers markets is a great way to incorporate quality produce into your own diet.

“The new nutritional guidelines state that half of your plate at each meal should be fruits or veggies,” Scott said. “Shopping at farmers markets is a great way to learn about what’s in season and bring that into your everyday eating routine.”

s t a r t a s h o p p I n g l I s t Boysen suggested looking for color when shopping for produce. “look for bright oranges; yellows; reds; and dark, rich greens,” she said. “An array of color will bring in a wide variety of nutrients.” It can be easy to incorporate fresh items into your daily routine. chef Bob recommends salads, stir-fries and grilled veggies as a good start. “It’s so important to work these products into your diet,” he said. “you get vitamins, antioxidants and fber, and they’re low in fat and sodium.”

not sure whether a fruit or veggie is ripe?