The Key to Finding the Best Fruits and Veggies

Growing up in New Jersey in the 1950s, I thought tomatoes and corn were foods you ate only in August, when fruit and vegetable stands overflowed with locally grown produce. 

Then, when I started gardening and found great tomatoes are grown in other states, I was told corn was best planted uphill to hasten the journey from plant to pot, thus maximizing the natural sweetness of the kernels. 

But now that strawberries, asparagus, corn and even tomatoes are available all year round, a trip to the grocery to buy fruits and vegetables is no longer so simple. Bombarded with information about pesticides in food and worrying about the effect on global warming of food trucked in from far away, there are many decisions to be made. 

Do we buy organic or conventionally grown? Do we stick with locally grown fruits and vegetables in season or go for the delicacies shipped from far away? And how do we balance cost vs. quality?

If you don't have a garden growing in your yard, here are some quick guidelines to follow as well as a look at what is available in Larchmont and Mamaroneck:

Organics vs. cost

Without stepping into the minefield of organic vs. non-organic, I offer this advice. If you're put off by the higher price of organically grown produce but do have concerns about pesticides, the best rule of thumb is pay the extra cost for  organic fruits with thin skins that you eat, such as peaches, pears, nectarines and strawberries, and save money by buying conventionally raised produce with thick peels, such as avocadoes and bananas.

Locally grown vs. shipped long-distance

Without a doubt, the sooner the food gets from the farm to your table the better it will taste, so it makes sense to shop for locally grown produce. Not only will it be better on the palate but you'll be reducing your carbon footprint. Supermarkets, green grocers and the farmers' market feature locally grown produce.

In-season vs. out-of-season

There's still nothing that beats the taste of a tomato harvested in August. This week, the greenhouse-grown tomatoes purchased at the farmers' market had no more taste than tomatoes from Costco or the $0.79 a bound beefsteak tomatoes from Trader Joe's. So try to stay with what's in season. (Here's a good guide.)

Remember, too, that even locally grown food can be out of season.  The apples you buy now were harvested last fall; invest instead in what's fresh and put a note on your calendar to go apple-picking up-county this fall.

Packaged vs. non-packaged

Whenever possible, it's best to opt for non-packaged produce. Not only do you get to avoid blemished produce, you're helping the environment. When packaging is necessary, try to avoid the non-degradable Styrofoam trays.

Wondering where to shop for all this?

Farmer's Markets

It's fun to shop at the Farmer's Market, where you can talk to the people who plant, tend and harvest the food you're purchasing. That said, don't assume all locally grown fruits and vegetables are organic; most local farmers use pesticides, so look carefully for the labels and signs.

The Larchmont Farmer's Market at the train station has three vegetable vendors, one of which is organic. Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The New Rochelle Market opens this week in a new location on the Library Green with four vegetable vendors. Prices here are generally lower than the Larchmont market. Fridays, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Grocery stores

Stop and Shop has a wide selection of conventionally grown and some organics, and the staff keeps a sharp eye on its displays, quickly removing fruits and vegetables that are past their prime. Most are not packaged, which means you can find the ripest peaches or the sweetest-smelling cantaloupe.

A&P also has a wide selection of competitively priced foods. This week it is  featuring locally grown zucchini at the same price as those at the Farmer's Market.

Trader Joe's: Fruits and vegetables are generally lower in cost than at other markets around town, but the produce is often over-packaged and shipped far distances. Zucchini were packaged in a plastic-wrapped Styrofoam tray – none of which is biodegradable – and they were pale green and damaged. They do have the best green onions in town, however.
 
Green Grocers

Harvest Field Market on Mamaroneck Avenue had blueberries from New Jersey and yucca,  chayote and plantains favored by Hispanic customers. Beefsteak tomatoes were only $0.99 a pound – but they were imported from Mexico.

Healthy Choice on Chatsworth Avenue consistently beats the supermarkets on price, but you need to shop carefully as produce is sometimes damaged and not first quality.

Village Farms on Mamaroneck Avenue has a much smaller selection and the produce is generally higher priced than elsewhere. As most of their produce is from California, Mexico and other far-away parts, it's about the same quality as you'll find elsewhere.  

And a final word: buy only what you need, and remember to store your vegetables properly. Your wallet and your palate will appreciate it.