Consumer Corner

Podcast: Amanda Keefer's tricks for produce-filled meals on a budget

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 07:27:09 GMT

Eating healthy doesn’t have to be expensive — well, more expensive than everything already is these days with price inflation in all sectors.

That’s one of Amanda Keefer’s key messages while she’s a guest on Season 2, Episode 2 of “Tip of the Iceberg” podcast . Keefer is the managing director of Healthy Family Project, a cause-marketing organization for consumers as well as the fresh produce industry. Keefer hosts a podcast too, named after the organization, geared toward the general public seeking health advice.

“There is a huge misnomer that eating healthy is expensive,” Keefer said.

Listen by clicking the purple arrow below or find it on your favorite platform for listening to podcasts.

Making a grocery list and sticking to it is one way to stay on budget, but also pay attention to what’s in season locally and what’s on sale. Those fresh fruits and vegetables tend to be less expensive and tastier too.

Basically, try to shop, cook and eat the foods that were available in your grandmother’s day. Of course, we can take advantage of the amazing imports when we want throughout the year, but remember that bottom-line budget.

Keefer offers a lot more practical, realistic advice for those of us in the produce industry and those of us who aren’t.

Give it a listen !

For more podcasts, try:

On the front lines with Starr Ranch Growers and Farm Star Living®

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:34:32 GMT

With this world we all find ourselves smack in the middle of, I just want to share how grateful I am for our colleagues and friends in the produce world. As Dan Davis, Business Development Director, of leading apple provider Starr Ranch Growers said, “We’re working round the clock and overtime to make sure that we feed the need of the American people, and that we provide the nutrition to keep them healthy.”

God bless him and all of the produce workers who are doing just that. Let’s look at what all has changed.

Growers across the USA that they’re adding extra hours to their facilities to accommodate the increased needs of the public. Given that everyone is cooking at home, vs. going out, the increase in demand has spiked. Plus, many people who might have bought one or two apples, onions, potatoes, oranges, or whatever it might be, bought a lot more than usual. So, this put a higher demand on everything, plus more needs from the stressed workers put the system into overdrive.

Farms and food companies had to maximize their output, putting a strain on the whole system. Starr Ranch Growers has been adding more people to their staff to fulfill the increase in demand - and the new hours and working throughout the weekends, adding people who were laid off from food service companies or providers.

The retailers / grocery stores weren’t even able to have the man power to stock their shelves enough to fuel the demand, so while needing more food, they also have needed more man power. And the employees need more assurances that they’re staying safe. New plastic shields and measures have been rolling out to assist.

Food companies like Starr Ranch Growers have increased their safety measures as well in order to operate at this required, and needed, high level of safety. Their processing plants aren’t even allowing anyone inside unless they’re critical to the packing process. There are more sanitizing stations that have been added, and more mandatory hand-washing, which was already in place before. It’s just now at an acute level, and social distancing is happening without a doubt. That’s why they’ve increased their hours and added more days - to stagger out the timing of employees.

In addition to that, there have been some issues with farm workers not being allowed back into the US. At this moment, only previous workers are being allowed back in, and not new applicants, to assist the labor force. This is causing concern and fear to the food companies as they need their help harvesting fruits and vegetables. Farm workers are just as critical to the process as the farmers. Who will pick the fruits? Who will pick the vegetables? We rely on farm workers from outside our own borders to come in, legally, to assist. Farm workers are an essential part of the farming process. This is still being discussed currently.

All of these areas work together, hand in hand, and you need them all to make the system work. The farmers, the farm workers, the processing / packaging plants, as well as the retailers – all has to be in concert to feed the public.

With all of that said, I am inspired by the farmers and growers who face a time that we’ve not yet seen in our lifetime. The heart of Washington was in the direct spotlight at the beginning of this, and our friends at the apple and pear orchards, all in the heart of these states, have been on the front lines. Going to work is overwhelming for people on the front lines, and that’s why I’m more proud of our farmers, at all of the food companies, and others are starting to understand how our farmers are indeed our heroes. And, these farmers, farm workers, plant operators and all the people involved in this process, are showing up to help us. They may feel wary, but they’re doing their part because that’s what farmers do. They take on the needs of all of us so that we all can eat, so that we all can live.

One of my farmer colleagues shared with me how his father, who served in WWII, was sent home to return to his farm as there was no one there to supervise it. The government considered this to be a critical, essential job that was just as essential as serving in the Army. To me, that is indeed how our farmers are -critical and essential. And they’re more than Farm Stars™, they are heroes!

Let’s keep them at the top of mind during this critical time, and in our prayers. Like always, we need them, and we need them even more right now.

Be safe, stay healthy and we are here for you.

Behind the scenes of Green Giant Fresh - Meet Idaho based Potandon

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:34:40 GMT

When you’re at the grocery store and you see the iconic Green Giant™ Fresh label on potatoes, you might not realize that it’s more than a “jolly green giant” that’s at the wheel. In fact, it takes a lot of people coming together on a vision of providing the most delicious, healthy and safe potatoes that money can buy – and that a farmer can grow.

These potatoes are grown by those that work for (and with) the company called Potandon. It came about based on a vision of three men, Mel Davenport, Kent Romrell, and Steve Ottum. Today Potandon Produce is the sole provider of potato and onion products for Green Giant Fresh. It also grows products for “Klondike Brands,” “Sunfresh,” “Potandon Produce” and “The Valley” labels.

A SHARED VISION FROM IDAHO
The company began 25 years ago with just a few employees selling “Green Giant” brand potatoes out of a small sales office in Shelley, Idaho, which was then a part of the Pillsbury Co. In 1989, Grand Metropolitan acquired Pillsbury, and by 1994 changed the new business development strategy from building businesses to acquiring them.

Jeff Sholl, then vice president and general manger of the Green Giant Fresh division, negotiated a deal with Pillsbury for the rights to the brand for future development in the world of fresh produce. In January 1995, the Sholl Group was founded. By March 1, 1995, Sholl, three of the original employees and six of the business’s grower partners formed Potandon Produce LLC.

The newly formed company started operations in Idaho Falls, ID, with Mel Davenport, who headed up operations and grower relations, Kent Romrell (now retired) who headed up sales and business development, and Steve Ottum who managed the finances, accounting and marketing. The first task was naming the new venture.

Potandon, sometimes a tongue twister, clearly states exactly what the company is all about — POTatoes AND ONions — nothing more, nothing less.
This company became a trend-setter and leader in innovation, because a potato from Potandon is not just any potato. The game changed.

DELICIOUS, HEALTHY VARIETIES
One notable highlight occurred in 2002, when Klondike Rose potatoes were introduced to the market. These unique potatoes were a pivotal point for Potandon as they were the first fresh potato variety grown in several decades to capture mainstream consumer attention. The innovation did not step there. Today there are other new varieties that have captured consumer attention - Klondike Petite Gourmets, Klondike Rose, CarbSmart™, One Step ... DONE!, Green Giant Fresh, and more, all developed from the team at Potandon.

ALL ABOUT THE SEEDS:
In order to continue to meet changing consumer needs through innovation, Potandon saw the need to manage its own seed development program, and we all know that ‘seeds’ are king. In 2009, Potandon entered into a joint venture to form Sunrain Varieties LLC. The team at Sunrain focuses on producing high-quality, disease-free potato seed for growers across the country.

With so much focus on the potato portion of the business, many people forget that Potandon is also a national onion supplier with 52 week sourcing. This segment of the business also became a big focus, especially in the Vidalia and Sweet onion segments.

FOOD SAFETY
Potandon has also been an industry leader in food safety, too, doing third-party audits and having an extensive quality-control team in place before it became an industry standard. “This area of the company is critical to preserving the brand consistency that our customers expect,” Ottum said in the release. With shipping and packing locations in all major growing regions and a solid partnership with EarthFresh Farms in Toronto, Potandon is able to offer a diverse and high-quality category solution for customers in retail, foodservice and wholesale across the United States and Canada.

“We expect to add several new products in the next few years that will fundamentally change the market,” Davenport said. “We see our next generation of potato items to be even healthier, have new and unique flavors and tastes, and bring about eating experiences that will excite and delight consumers long into the future.”

NEW INNOVATION:
Innovation has always been paramount at Potandon, and a new state of the art mini plant has been developed to offer more consistent quality while offering more delicious products that are healthy, convenient, and innovative. With a goal to satisfy and delight consumers, Potandon has unveiled new varieties with more convenient and easy ways to use these products.

Research and development is paramount, and this new processing plant is geared to deliver more of these products to market. These variety of new products are exactly what consumers have been looking for – more healthy options of delicious foods that are easier to use, prepare and more time-efficient. Because of their cutting-edge and patented technology, products such as One Step .. DONE!, also a low-sodium, shelf-stable product that comes in a variety of flavors, has been a fan favorite and taken the industry by storm.

We appreciate the potatoes that we have now from our friends at Potandon, and we delight in all of the unique varieties and flavors that they’ve brought to us. We celebrate their 25th year delivering such amazing varieties and quality to us all, and we also trust in the fact that we’ll have even more crowd-pleasing potatoes over the next 25 years, too.

Starr Ranch® Growers Cherries

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:39:01 GMT

The sweetest summertime snack may be small, but it carries a fierce punch of flavor. Starr Ranch® Growers are proudly serving sweet Pacific Northwest-grown cherries, unrivaled in flavor and quality. These powerful clusters can energize your families’ summer and transform any breakfast, lunch, snack, or dessert!

The folks at Starr Ranch® Growers are notorious for having cherries that are juicy and bursting with incredible flavor. These shiny, deep red, explosively juicy cherries make a delicious snack straight from the bag – do be careful of those cherry pits! Not only the perfect on-the-go snack food, but they’re also wonderful additions to many different recipes. Cherries make fantastic additions to your child’s yogurt, oatmeal, smoothies, fruit salads, and just about any dessert. Better yet, cherries can and freeze well, meaning you can enjoy a scrumptious homemade cherry pie in the middle of winter.

When you and your family eat cherries, you’re eating more than just a bite-size of decadence. Cherries are low-calorie fruits that are rich in nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. These sweet cherries are packed with numerous health-benefiting compounds that are essential for wellness. Read Farm Star Mary’s blog for Five Reason To Go Crazy For Cherries! Cherries can also help with the following:

Aids in digestion
Aids in weight loss
Anti-aging
Anti-inflammatory
Helps with insomnia
Improves hair, skin and nails

Prime orchard real estate in the lush Pacific Northwest grants Starr Ranch® Growers a long cherry season lasting from June - August. As one of the premier growers and shippers of sweet Northwest cherries, they move an impressive 2.5 million cartons of cherries each year! So if you’re needing the right cherry for your cherry pie, choose the company with humble roots, growing the best fruit.

The New Ones™ To Love!

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:50:13 GMT

Don’t you wish you could put everything you need in a snack – convenience, flavor, and health – into one easy package? Well, now you don’t have to thanks to my friends at Sunsweet®. They’ve packed a delectable, zero fat, 100 calorie, high fiber, low sugar, on-the-go snack into bite-size pieces of nourishment – introducing you to Ones Amaz!n™ Prunes.

Individually wrapped and delicious, Ones Amaz!n™ Prunes are moist, juicy and full of nutritious goodness. They’re perfect for when that snack-attack hits you when you’re on-the-go, so pop a few into your car, purse, or keep some in your desk like I do. Anyone that knows me knows I have a killer sweet tooth and I am a total chocoholic. But, I am also conscious of my overall health and fitness.

That’s why I am excited to share with my fellow chocolate-lovers the newest addition to the Sunsweet family – Ones™ Cocoa Dusted Prunes. These are my new go-to when my sweet tooth hits me (because I know it will)! These chocolate-y bites of deliciousness are dusted in premium cocoa for a snack that feels indulgent but is still healthy. BONUS: there’s no added sugar!

Don’t worry if chocolate isn’t your thing because I’ve got another option for you berry lovers – Ones™ Berry Essence Prunes! Fall in love with these irresistible bites bursting with berry flavor with no added sugar, so you get the same nutritional benefits of Amaz!n™ Prunes with an all-new taste. TIP: enjoy both Berry Essence and Cocoa Dusted ones together for a berry-chocolate flavor explosion!

I am so thankful to Sunsweet for creating this new favorite on-the-go snack. I hope you’ll give them a try and see for yourself just how tasty these little Ones™ are – it’s truly love at first bite!

Check out this Amaz!n™ video:

Get Schooled On Watermelons!

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:39:53 GMT

Especially in the last few months, we’ve seen more about the challenges with growing our food and how difficult it is for farmers. So quickly we can forget what went into actually bringing those fruits and vegetables to your produce department, and many of us don’t quite know what went into growing the food in the first place. That’s one thing I love to spotlight — the farming process behind the food — so that you can see how much heart, hard work, time, and money went in to growing, harvesting, packing, and shipping those farm-fresh fruits and vegetables! This is why I often say that farmers are often taken for granted and should be celebrated!

Seasonal items, like watermelons, are often even harder to grow because farmers have only a small window of time to accomplish what they need to, and external factors like weather, and now Covid-19, can be working against them. Talk about pressure! A couple of years ago, I had the opportunity to visit Melon 1, and I loved meeting the family, the farm workers, the staff, and team who all were busy as bees making sure their watermelons were representative of the high quality Melon 1 label, including delicious flavor, and were safe for us all to eat. Since 1935, Melon 1 has worked with family farmers all across the USA using cutting-edge technology to meet food safety and traceability standards, but keeping people at the heart of their business.

Here’s a look into the complex but fascinating process of how they are growing one of the most popular summer fruits ever – the watermelon!

The whole process takes about 100 days — from planting to harvest! So, three months before harvest, watermelon ‘transplants’ are planted into well-drained sandy soil where they are watered and carefully looked after every single day. They grow slowly but surely on a vine, eventually growing into large, juicy, and ripe watermelons ready for the picking. The more bees the better, as these pollinators are critical and essential to growing delicious, juicy watermelons. Some farmers use bumble bees, some use honey bees. The main factor is to make sure that there are plenty there, as without them, there would be no watermelons!

Back to the “picking,” because once the watermelons are ready for harvest, the real work begins! There’s no fancy farm equipment when it comes to harvesting watermelon. Every single watermelon is inspected and harvest by hand to ensure that the fruit is not only ready to eat, but also makes it to your store in the best condition possible. Pickers look for a pale yellow “belly” on the bottom of the watermelon, which indicates ripeness. Once watermelons are cut from the vine, it is quite the thing to see! Watermelons are literally tossed by hand down a line of farm-workers into school buses – I bet you didn’t expect to see school buses on a watermelon farm!

The school buses are actually purchased from schools in the district, and then the schools are able to upgrade to newer, better ones for their students. A win /win! One thing though — they have to have their roofs removed first! The roofs are literally chopped off so that they are open and ready for the watermelons to be lobbed overhead. Then, a line forms of farm workers, who take the watermelon and toss it along the line to their team, then gently placing them into the buses. After this has happened, and the harvest is complete, the bus of watermelons are then taken to the packing shed where they are again inspected, washed, and prepared for shipping. Then, once all of that is completely supervised by a team of people who have monitored the entire process, the watermelons are loaded into trucks to deliver to your local grocery stores! Then, it’s all about you seeing them in the produce aisle — now ready for your pickin’!

What I especially love about these farmers at Melon 1 is the sense of family and camaraderie with the team, as they all face so much in a season, and this closeness and depending on each other strengthens their bonds with each other. They all have each other’s backs. And Melon 1 is still a family business at heart today. From all the people working there, they all pride themselves on providing you with the freshest, highest quality watermelons possible. And, a humble family for sure, they admit that they owe their success to the many farmers and team of people who join alongside with them to make watermelon farming again this year (and next) possible. Happy Summer and sending y’all watermelon smiles!

Parents-On-the-GO!: Organic Gala Apples

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:45:04 GMT

Right up there with other popular apples like Honeycrisp and Granny Smith, Gala Apples are one of the most popular apple varieties in the produce aisle! The Gala apple is hard to beat – they’re sweet, grown year long, and easy to bite into. When you’re grocery shopping for the perfect organic Gala apple, keep an eye out for these gems grown by our friends at Starr Ranch® Growers .

Find out more here!

Parents-On-the-GO!: Organic Gala Apples

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:45:04 GMT

Right up there with other popular apples like Honeycrisp and Granny Smith, Gala Apples are one of the most popular apple varieties in the produce aisle! The Gala apple is hard to beat – they’re sweet, grown year long, and easy to bite into. When you’re grocery shopping for the perfect organic Gala apple, keep an eye out for these gems grown by our friends at Starr Ranch® Growers .

Starr Ranch has been growing apples in the Pacific Northwest since 1934 and were the first exporter of Washington apples! Back in those days, apples were stored and shipped in wooden boxes – that’s literally where the term “apple box” gets its name. With generations of experience under their belt and some of the finest orchard locations in the world, Starr Ranch grows premium apples that are good for the body, mind, and taste buds. Apples support a healthy digestive system, boast an impressive list of phytonutrients and antioxidants, and provide us with vital vitamins and minerals. Apples also account for 14% of the daily recommended value of Vitamin C!

Additional Health Benefits Include:

Aids in digestion
Aids in weight loss
Diuretic
Fights asthma
Fights free radicals
Helps control LDL cholesterol levels
Inhibits cancer cell growth
May reduce cholesterol
May reduce risk of Alzheimer

If you compare apples to apples, you can see why Starr Ranch® Growers is our top pick. Take a look at the many ways you can enjoy Organic Gala Apples here!

Mary’s Blog: The New Ones™ To Love!

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:45:04 GMT

Mary’s Blog: Mashed Potatoes In A Snap!

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:45:04 GMT

Who’s with me when I say, “I’m pretty tired of cooking!” The problem is that I still crave some of the more time-consuming comforting foods – like mashed potatoes! However, pulling out pots and waiting on boiling water, or softened potatoes, and adding all of the different ingredients milk and butter and cream and spices and everything that goes along with it can be quite time-consuming, if not overwhelming ... until now!

Say hello to your new favorite, comforting and delicious side-dish: Minute Mashers™. These real, fresh potatoes are grown by the trusted farmers from Green Giant™ Fresh, and this new product offers hot, delicious, and ready-to-eat mashed potatoes - in just seven minutes! No pots, no waiting for the water to boil, nothin’ but simplicity and real deliciousness!

Starr Ranch Growers Gala Apple Cinnamon Yogurt Parfait

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:10:35 GMT

The STARR of this dish is the Starr Ranch® Organic Gala Apple , and it’s a show-stopper – as is this beautiful parfait! Distinct for its layers of granola, nuts, yogurt, and fruits, the parfait is the perfect dessert for those seeking a light breakfast or lush dessert. Have it your way, adding whatever fruits are in season or your current favorite. Right now, the Farm Star Living team is indulging in Starr Ranch® Organic Gala Apples. Fragrant, juicy, and bright, this crisp red apple is best eaten fresh in salads, as a snack, or paired with cheese and nuts. Divine.

With generations of experience under their belt and some of the finest orchard locations in the world, Starr Ranch® grows premium apples that are good for the body, mind, and taste buds. And, they are thrilled to be rolling out their Organic varieties, too, like we have used in this good for you dessert! Apples support a healthy digestive system, boast an impressive list of phytonutrients and antioxidants, and provide us with vital vitamins and minerals—plus they are sweet and delicious!

For an especially delectable treat, follow our tips for an extra delightful parfait:

• Squeeze lemon juice on diced or sliced apples to prevent them from browning
• Use whole milk yogurt for best satisfying flavor and texture
• You can use basil and mint leaves almost interchangeably
• Check sugar content of granola and keep it low
• Use honey from local farms

See how we made it!

Makes 4-6 parfaits

Ingredients:

• 2 cups plain whole milk Greek yogurt
• 2 tablespoons local honey
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 gala apple, seeded and diced
• 1 cup favorite granola
• 1/2 walnuts or pecans (optional)
• Mint leaf to garnish

Directions:

1. In small mixing bowl, stir together Greek yogurt, honey and cinnamon until combined.
2. Spoon 2 tablespoons yogurt mixture into the bottom of favorite parfait cup/glass and layer with diced apples, granola and nuts to fill the glass with additional layers of yogurt until glass is full. Enjoy!

Mary's blog: 3 tips for breast cancer awareness month

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:18:28 GMT

Three health tips for breast cancer awareness month courtesy of Peri and Sons’ Farms.

We are all going PINK in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and I have some empowering health tips to share with you, courtesy of Peri & Sons’ Farms and their special Breast Cancer Awareness website. I’ll give you three tips so that you can say I PINK I CAN, too!

TIP #1 Eat plant-based foods - everyday.

Whether you choose organic or conventional, it is important to make sure you’re eating plenty of fruits and vegetables consistently, eating some every day. Foods like these delicious onions grown from our friends at Peri & Sons’ Farms, which are packed with special health benefits - grown officially organically, too.

Speaking of health benefits, onions lower blood pressure, prevent blood clotting, increase circulation, detoxify the body and skin, and fight free radicals that cause cell destruction and disease, and much more. Healthier foods help give us healthier bodies.

TIP #2 LITTLE POSITIVE CHANGES EVERYDAY - especially regarding physical activity and exercise.

I know It can be overwhelming to start. That’s why just doing a little bit every day is so important. For example - start out at 10 minutes a day. Then, build to 15, until it feels like a doable routine. Then, up the time until you get to 30 minutes. 30 minutes of non-stop, robust activity everyday is the key number to achieving long-term health.

TIP #3 CUT BACK ON RED MEAT & MAKE HEALTHY RECIPES.

Opt for lean meats, and red meat tends to contain saturated fat, which is not good for you, and make healthy, nutritious recipes using fresh food and leaner meats. Here’s one that we recently made with Peri & Sons Farms onions and quinoa. Easy, delicious and full of great healthy plant-based foods and healthy grains.

There are so many other great tips over at our friends Peri & Sons’ Farms special BREAST CANCER AWARENESS website. In fact, you can also vote on YOUR favorite Breast Cancer related charity of choice and receive an I PINK I CAN MAGNET! Wherever you are on your own journey, just remember to choose good health everyday and encourage others around you to do so, too.
Together we all can say I PINK I CAN!

Sunions™ Cauliflower Mac N Cheese

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:22:10 GMT

Mac N Cheese is an American classic and favorite. But let’s admit, it’s just not that good for you beyond making your tastebuds happy. So, make both your tastebuds and your body happy with Sunions™ Cauliflower Mac N Cheese! The pasta is replaced with Sunions™ and cauliflower, which gives the dish a similar texture but provides so much more.

First of all, cauliflower is on the CDC’s list of “powerhouse fruits and vegetables.” That’s because it contains antioxidants and phytonutrients that help protect against cancer as well as fiber to encourage weight loss and digestion. It also has choline, a nutrient essential for learning and memory. Not to mention, your trading high-carb pasta for a low-carb nutrient rich dish! The Sunions™ really complement this dish by adding flavor. Some of you, though, might say, “Wait? What exactly are Sunions™?”

Sunions™ are a game-changer, for sure. They are the first completely tearless onions available in North America, certified by Bayer Sensory Lab and the Ohio State University. They differ from typical onions in flavor, because they’re much milder and sweeter.

When picking up Sunions™, you need to look towards Peri & Sons® Farms. For one, the Sunions™ only ship out once they’re certified by a panel of tasting experts for flavor and tearlessness! You’re guaranteed the top quality product every time.

Additionally, Peri & Sons® have been farming for over 100 years. Their mission is to bring safe, nutritious, no-GMO onions to market in an environmentally responsible way through sustainable practices. Their onions aren’t the only thing certified--in fact, they are the first domestic onion farm operation to achieve the Sustainably Grown certification from SCS Global Services.

You can rest easy in your choice to pick Peri & Sons® Sunions™ every time, because your tastebuds, body, and environment are all benefiting. Sunions™ provide sodium, potassium, calcium, iron, and vitamins A & C to your meal, along with a sweet tang to your Mac N Cheese.
Try this innovative low-carb nutrient-rich classic recipe below! The best part is that you can make this dish anytime and freeze it for a quick dinner on a later date.

Ingredients:

8 cups coarsely chopped cauliflower (about 2 heads)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 Sunions™ sliced thin
Salt, as desired
4 cloves Garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups whole milk
1 block cream cheese (8 oz)
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon salt
6 ounces mozzarella, shredded (about 1 1/4 cups)
6 ounces sharp cheddar, shredded (about 1 1/4 cup), plus more for sprinkling

Directions:

Toss cauliflower and 1/4 tsp. salt in a large microwave-safe bowl. Cover with plastic wrap, pierce plastic with a knife a few times to vent, and microwave on high for 10 minutes. Carefully remove plastic and transfer cauliflower to a colander. Let cool to room temperature, then transfer to a large bowl.
Add sliced Sunions to a pan with Ghee and saute for 20 minutes, adding salt half way. Add Garlic. Deglaze pan with veggie stock, if desired.
Meanwhile, cook milk, cream cheese, mustard, and remaining 1 tsp. salt in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until smooth, about 4 minutes. Let cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes. Add cauliflower and toss to combine.
Add mozzarella and 6 oz. cheddar and toss to combine—mixture should be cool enough so that cheese doesn’t melt. Transfer cauliflower mixture to freezer-to-oven-safe baking dish or dishes.
Preheat oven to 350°F. Cover dish with foil and bake casserole until heated through and just beginning to bubble, about 45 minutes for large dish or about 30 minutes for small dishes. Remove foil and sprinkle cheddar over. Heat broiler and broil until top is browned and bubbling, 2–5 minutes.

Garlic Roasted Spicy Green Beans with Almonds

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:21:57 GMT

Two typical New Year’s resolutions are eating healthier and being a bit more adventurous. But why wait till the New Year? Start your adventure before or during the holidays with this Garlic Roasted Spicy Green Beans with Almonds recipe!

Green beans are a classic, especially at this time of the year, but bring something new to the table by adding red pepper flakes and almonds! It takes essentially no extra time but adds a whole new dimension to the flavor and a slight crunch to the texture that will keep you coming back to this recipe. Of course, the main ingredient that will determine the flavor and taste of this dish is the green beans themselves. That’s why we want to bring your attention to Harvest Sensations. Buying produce from Harvest Sensations isn’t a mere transaction, they pride themselves in delivering the produce you deserve.

They focus entirely on sourcing and importing quality, organic ingredients in order to make the globe their local backyard. Your produce comes right from a farmer out of the U.S., Mexico, or Central and South America. And if you want assurance that you’re getting the best, Harvest Sensations is proud to be globally certified through multiple organizations including Global Food Safety Initiative and National Organic Standards.

They’re dedicated to their customers and the environment equally, committed to great service and products while also maintaining an active commitment to the environment. They have a sustainability plan based on viability, accountability, responsibility, and investment.

That’s how you know you’ll be receiving top of the line green beans! Which means a magnificent source for vitamins A, C, and K along with folic acid and fiber for you and everyone else at your table. This translates directly into your health, promoting a good mood, bone health, and even clocking carcinogenic effects.

Best of all, this recipe is easy! Check out the three steps to your adventure below:

Ingredients:

12 oz raw Harvest Sensations green beans, ends trimmed
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
Fresh cracked black pepper, to taste
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 tablespoons sliced almonds

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
Place the green beans in a large bowl and drizzle with olive oil and then season with red pepper flakes, sea salt, and fresh cracked pepper and toss.
On a parchment lined baking sheet, spread the green beans in a single layer. Roast for 15 minutes before removing beans from the oven to add minced garlic and sliced almonds. Mix all together and spread into a single layer again and roast for an additional 5 minutes until green beans are cooked through and the garlic and almonds are lightly golden.

Tips & Health Benefits on Summer Fruits — in Season Now!

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:06:23 GMT

One of the best parts of summer is the sweet, delicious fruit that’s in season right now! Here are tips on how you can pick the best ones and make them last longer, plus how they’ll add to your overall good health!

The fruits that have all of us excited are these summer peaches, nectarines, apricots and plus that were grown by the fresh fruit experts Trinity Fruit Company, located in the Central Valley of California. They have been passionate and dedicated to growing fruits for every season — like these conventional and organic “stone fruit” that you can find from their signature brand Farm2You.

You might be asking what exactly is a “stone fruit?” We’ll tell ya! It’s called a “stone fruit” because of the stone (or pit) in the center. Best news is that they are all in season now. They are so delicious and the perfect sweet yet healthy treat to enjoy guilt-free all summer long.

Here are tips on how to select and care for four stone fruits that should be on every kitchen counter right now!

Let’s start with remembering to rinse off all of these fruits first, and then hand-dry them with care!

First, let’s talk about peaches. When picking your peach, choose ones with firm, fuzzy skins that yield to gentle pressure when ripe. Try to avoid any blemishes, too! Store any unripe ones in a paper bag, because it speeds up the ripening process, and then leave it out at room temperature for 1-2 days. And how are these peaches helping your health? They’re a great source of Vitamin C, low fat and saturated fat and sodium free.

Aren’t these apricots beautiful? When selecting, make sure you choose ones that are plump, firm and uniformly colored as much as possible. Store them out at room temperature until ripe, and then place them in a refrigerator for 3-5 days.

These are also low fat, and they’re sodium, cholesterol, and saturated fat free! Plus, apricots have even more benefits — an excellent source of vitamin A and Vitamin C, plus a good source of potassium and fiber.

Plums are in season now, too! I love a great plum, and here’s how to tell which ones are best! Choose plump with smooth skin, avoid any bruises and soft spots! Then store any that are still unripe in a paper bag, and once they feel ripe, refrigerate them!

Nothing better than a cool plum on a hot summery day! They’re also a great a source of Vitamin C, low-fat, and saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium free.

Then there is the juicy, sweet nectarine, which I also love to add to my summer salads as well! Choose ones that feel firm with smooth skin, and eat up!

If they’re still a bit unripe, store them in a paper bag until ripe, and just leave at room temperature for use within 2-3 days. They’re a great source of Vitamin C, low-fat, saturated fat free, and sodium free.

So, as you’re gearing up for your summer picnics or just looking for healthy yet sweet and delicious snacks, make sure you look for the Trinity Fruit Company’sFarm2You brand, and we’re grateful to these farmers for keeping us healthier and making our summers sweeter for more than 20 years now!

Have a happy, healthy and farm-fresh summer!

Farm Star Mary's Minutes: Tips & Health Benefits on Summer Fruits

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:06:19 GMT

Starr Ranch: Roasted Bartlett pear and caramelized onion bruschetta

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:15:49 GMT

Bruschetta—not just a simple appetizer, but one that compliments any party-time cheese platter. The Farm Star Living® team is excited to share our Onion & Bartlett Pear Bruschetta recipe. Tangy caramelized onions pair with the sweet, soft, and smooth bite of the golden yellow Bartlett pear from Starr Ranch Growers . Delish!

Yes, we love pears from Starr Ranch! Grown with care in the Pacific Northwest, lush lands provide vast and fertile ground for their pear orchards. Phenomenal growers combined with 21st century innovation has resulted in an exceptional product that has earned Diamond Starr Growers global recognition.

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons extra virgin coconut oil
1 sweet onion, sliced into strips
1/8 teaspoon sea salt
1 tablespoon agave nectar
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
2 fresh ripe pears, diced
1 baguette, sliced thin
4 ounces creamy goat cheese
Fresh chopped rosemary to garnish

Directions:

Heat 2 tablespoons coconut oil in sautй pan on medium high heat. Add sliced onions and cook for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add sea salt, agave nectar and balsamic vinegar and stir to combine. Reduce heat to medium and cook onions for another 10 minutes until slightly caramelized. Add diced pears to onions and sautй on medium high for another 2-3 minutes until pears soften. Season with fresh cracked pepper to taste.
Arrange the baguette slices on baking sheet and place under broiler until lightly toasted; about 2 minutes. Spread a light coating of goat cheese on toasted baguette slices. Top baguette slices with pear and onion mixture and garnish with chopped rosemary to serve.
Rich in flavor, enjoy this simple appetizer and reap the benefits of a fruit rich in dietary fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.

Roasted Mini Klondike Medley™ potatoes

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:15:49 GMT

Convenience is now packed into two or three varieties of delicious potatoes. The Klondike Medley variety pack can include Klondike staples like their red skin - yellow fleshed, yellow skin - yellow fleshed potatoes, and purple-purple fleshed potatoes. Not only can this bag provide variance to your table, it can also enhance any recipe. Klondike’s Roasted Mini Potatoes recipe is a great place to start!

Klondike Gourmet® mini potatoes are chosen for their flavor first and their color, shape, and size next. Beyond their potential for amazing plate presentation or fabulous coloring, their flavor profile is distinct. Enjoy carbs the Klondike way knowing that skin-on potatoes provide nearly half your daily value of vitamin C, more potassium than a banana, and are a great source of vitamin B6, fiber, magnesium, and antioxidants.

Ingredients:

1 bag Klondike Medley™ potatoes
3/4 cup sour cream
1/3 cup feta cheese
1/4 cup cooked, crumbled bacon
1/4 cup chopped green onions
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
salt and pepper to taste

Preparation Steps:

Place Klondike Medley™ potatoes in a bowl and drizzle with olive oil, coating thoroughly. Place on a baking sheet and bake at 350° F for 20 minutes, or until potatoes are finished cooking. Remove from oven and let cool.
In a mixing bowl, add feta cheese, sour cream, green onions, crumbled bacon, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix until combined.
Cut cooled potatoes lengthwise and place a spoonful of filling on each half. Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with chopped green onion and freshly cracked pepper if desired.

Braised Chicken with Onions & Sunsweet® D'Noir™ Prunes

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Farm Star Living®'s Recipe: Braised Chicken with Onions & Sunsweet® D’Noir™ Prunes

Starr Ranch® Fuji Apple & Brie Quesadillas

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Farm Star Living’s recipe: Starr Ranch® Fuji Apple & Brie Quesadillas

Farm Star Mary's Minutes: Del Monte Better Break™

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Farm Star Mary’s Minutes: Del Monte Better Break™

Farm Star Mary's Minutes: I Pink I Can!

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Farm Star Mary’s Minutes: I Pink I Can!

Plant-based spinach herb cashew dip

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:21:46 GMT

Want to bring something fun and fresh to the table this holiday season? You should try whipping up this insanely tasty one-step dish! That’s right, one step--just measure the ingredients and blend. Impress family and friends with an all natural plant-based dip in minutes.

Cashews are great because they’re jammed packed with nutrients and antioxidants, high in protein, and low in carbohydrates. While you enjoy your dip, you can also enjoy knowing you’re consuming a great source of zinc, iron, calcium, and other vitamins. And of course, they’re naturally gluten-free, vegan, and raw.

For this recipe, you’ll need cashew flour. This nut-based flour is perfect for things like tarts and cheesecakes, but it’s especially amazing for a dip. The light, fine flour blends smoothly and is naturally sweet without the bitterness that almonds can have. You can take the time to make cashew flour yourself by simply placing the cashews in the blender until a powder begins to form. But, who has time for that?! Thankfully, there’s now a much more convenient option so you can spend more time eating this dip than you did making it – introducing this new Cashew Flour from Nature’s Eats®.

Nature’s Eats® provide the perfect ingredients for freshness, quality, and great taste. This company is family owned and operated focused on curating, blending, and packaging the world’s finest natural food products.

Cashews growing on a tree. The Cashew nut is inside the cashew-shaped shell that hangs from the Cashew Apple.

Nature’s Eats® employ sourcing experts to find farmers doing what they do best: grow bountiful and nutrient-rich crops in fertile regions of the world. They develop a relationship with one another so that Nature’s Eats can deliver products that keep customers raving. Best of all, you don’t sacrifice the price for this top-tier quality. They like to say you’ll get the best for less!

You can find Nature’s Eats® nuts flours in most grocery stores like HEB, Kroger, and Walmart. You can also buy from Amazon or Nature’s Eats online store, here.

Check out the fresh and delicious Plant-Based Spinach Herb Cashew Dip below!

Ingredients:

2 cloves garlic, peeled
1 cup Nature’s Eats® cashew flour
1/2 cup water
Juice of 1 lemon
1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons fresh parsley leaves
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary
15 fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup fresh baby spinach
Salt and pepper

Farm Star Living® — Koru Apples

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:25:03 GMT

What better way to start off 2020 than to shine a light on something fresh, juicy, and unique? KORU® apples from Starr Ranch® Growers are innovative, bringing a remarkable variety to the fruit. We’re so thankful to nature’s gift: a chance new apple seedling that sprouted in a rose garden!

It’s a story of pure chance, really. A seedling grew from a discarded apple in a rose garden owned by Geoff and Marilyn Plunkett, who shares the seedling and allows for a few trees to propagate.
The KORU® apple hails from New Zealand, but thankfully, they are now grown in New York and Washington. They’re simply extraordinary with subtle tartness and notes of honey, orange juice, vanilla, and spice. They have even been described as cidery due to its sweet juice, but they still have a crunch! The fruit boasts a unique orange tinge to its otherwise red and yellow base. It looks straight from a Disney movie.

Because these apples are slow to brown, they’re perfect for salads or a snack to take with you. While we insist you try a fresh one, we also want you to know that the KORU® apple keeps its shape when baked and is slightly acidic, making it perfect for baking and cooking, especially pies!

These apples are in season October through March and May through July, so if you’re reading this in the beginning of the year - don’t wait! These apples will last in your fridge for up to four months, giving you plenty of time to experiment with them or just snack.

Feel assured you’re getting the best fruit available when you pick your unique apple from Starr Ranch® Growers. Their orchards belong to multi-generational farming families who are focused on premium, wholesome fruit. Additionally, they are fully dedicated to giving back to their community and the environment through sustainable farming.

The idea is to nurture and take care of the land for generations in order to continue to provide fresh and delicious fruit that you can feel good putting on your table and into your body. So if you want something fresh and unique to add to your palate in the new year, look for KORU® apples from Starr Ranch® Growers next time you’re at the market or store!

Food Spotlight: Starr Ranch Cherries

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:08:24 GMT

The sweetest summertime snack may be small, but it carries a fierce punch of flavor. Starr Ranch Growers are proudly serving several varieties of Pacific Northwest-grown cherries, unrivaled in flavor and quality. From tart to sweet, these powerful clusters can energize your summer and transform any dessert.

Starr Ranch Growers is notorious for having cherries that are juicy and bursting with incredible flavor. Explosively juicy, sweet, and firm, their dark sweet varieties include Chelans , the exceptionally large Tietons, and the ever-popular Bings. These shiny, deep red all purpose cherries make a delicious snack straight from the bag or can be used for baking, juicing and freezing. Their Rainier cherries, are ultra-sweet and truly tastes like nature’s candy. These cherries are yellow with a bright red blush and make fantastic additions to yogurt, oatmeal, and just about any dessert recipe.

When you eat cherries, you’re eating more than just a bite-size of decadence. Cherries are a low-calorie fruit that’s rich in nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. Equally sweet and tart, cherries are packed with numerous health-benefiting compounds that are essential for wellness. Not only the perfect on-the-go snack food, but they’re also wonderful additions to recipes. Better yet, cherries can and freeze well, meaning you can enjoy a scrumptious homemade cherry pie in the middle of winter.

Prime orchard real estate in the lush Pacific Northwest grants Starr Ranch Growers a long cherry season. As one of the premier growers and shippers of sweet Northwest cherries, they move an impressive 2.5 million cartons of cherries each year. So if you’re needing the right cherry for your cherry pie, choose the company with humble roots, growing the best fruit.

Related recipe: Fresh Starr Ranch Cherry Crumble with Goat Cheese & Honey
Related video: Fresh Starr Ranch Cherry Crumble with Goat Cheese & Honey

Parents On-the-GO! Klondike Brands Save The Day!

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:08:24 GMT

Klondike Gourmet™ Potatoes

You’ll find that these Klondike Gourmet™ mini potatoes offer a big flavorful bite for such a cute, mini potato!

Get out the grill and start your summer off with a delicious bang! We love the idea of grilling potatoes for a salad, and these potatoes offer the perfect size, flavor and scrumptious taste in every bite.

Green Giant™ has been the brand that we all have known for decades, and you may not have known that they have different divisions. Being all about the farm-fresh food over here at Farm Star Living, we have embraced their “Fresh” division of potatoes, which offers the same quality and superior flavors that gave this iconic brand its popularity from generations past.

Each variety of potato grown and marked with the Green Giant™ Fresh label has a unique, distinct flavor and color, size and shape, and each unique potato lends itself to a different type of recipe or dish. That’s why we are always so excited to make new recipes with the many different types of Green Giant Fresh™ potatoes!

These Klondike Gourmet™ mini potatoes can be trusted to be of high quality, grown with care and love by farmers who have made a career out of their passion for growing high quality foods. It is what makes these farmers tick – knowing that they’re growing something that is good for you, grown with care and high quality standards, and something that when harvested tastes so darn good.

Melon 1 Watermelon Salsa

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:08:29 GMT

Whether you make it spicy, tangy, or smokey, the beauty of salsa is that you can change-up ingredients and still keep the integrity of the dish.

We’re excited to introduce a summertime salsa that is sure to win over the staunchest traditionalist. Our Watermelon Salsa recipe is a fun turn on the classic and uses watermelons from Melon 1 , one of the oldest and largest watermelon shippers in the United States.

Make an already festive condiment into a daring medley of spicy and sweet.

Their legendary Crisp and Fresh seedless watermelon variety is ideal for a salsa recipe. When you cut into a Crisp and Fresh, each slice is juicier and more delicious because more liquid stays in the melon, not on your cutting board!

That means more nutrients, too!

Vitamin A found in watermelon is important for optimal eye health and boosts immunity by enhancing the infection-fighting actions of white blood cells called lymphocytes.
Vitamin B6 found in watermelon helps the immune system produce antibodies. Antibodies are needed to fight many diseases. Vitamin B6 helps maintain normal nerve function and form red blood cells. The body uses it to help break down proteins. The more protein you eat, the more vitamin B6 you need.
Vitamin C in watermelon can help to bolster the immune system’s defenses against infections and viruses and can protect the body from harmful free radicals that can accelerate aging and conditions such as cataracts.

Easy, peasy, Melon 1 squeezy!

TIP: Use a seedless watermelon for recipes so seeds will not peak through. No need to cut all of the watermelon at once. Slice what you need and store the other half in a bowl and cover with Saran Wrap.

Ingredients:

2 cups seedless watermelon, diced
½ red onion, diced
2 roma tomatoes, seeded and diced
1 yellow bell pepper, seeded and diced
2 jalapeños, seeded and diced
1 bunch cilantro, chopped
2 limes, juiced
1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Directions:
Combine all the ingredients into a large bowl and toss it together. Taste with a chip and adjust ingredients as needed.
Serve with chips or on top of grilled chicken or fish.