Lloyd Craft Farms Fresh Produce, Locally Grown

Most fruits and vegetables are both pretty and nourishing. A plump tomato on the vine is an invitation — to make salsa, create a salad or liven up a sandwich. While it’s still on the vine, most people would undoubtedly think of that tomato as alive, but in fact, even after picking, fruits and vegetables remain alive. It’s that very quality, however, that contributes to spoilage and loss of nutrients.   Beth Greenwood     http://www.livestrong.com

Respiration, enzymes, and ripeness are three things that lead to the demise of produce—it is inevitable.  According to Beth Greenwood in an article from www.livestrong.com we look for pretty and nourishing fruits and vegetables.  They are alive on the vine…and alive off the vine.  In her article she explains how these three things:  respiration, enzymes, and ripeness work to breakdown and cause the decay of the produce.  Ironically, it is these three things that make that food so good for us—It is alive and breathes! It has enzymes that help us to digest it, and it is the ripeness that we look for and need for a full and complete food with the densest nutrients.

And what is Beth Greenwood’s recommendation:  Find the Freshest Produce!

Choose produce that is as fresh as possible– If you can’t grow your own, look for local farms or growers. Buying locally increases the chances of nutritional diversity and decreases the amount of handling, since local produce is commonly picked by hand rather than machine. Minimal handling means less chance of contamination and bruising, which can increase the rate of decay.  A tomato picked ripe from the vine has the most nutrients—it is the same with all other produce.  Depending on the rate of respiration and how carefully the living fruit or root is handled, will determine its value to you and how long it will last.

We concur!  Some people can garden, but not everyone…That is where Lloyd Craft Farms comes in–We are all about healthy food for healthy bodies for healthy communities.  We support gardeners and gardening, and we support those that don’t!  We have gardened long enough to know that it may be difficult to grow everything you’d like because of space, time, or experience….So for the best nutritional diversity consider a Leap-Frog Share to supplement your garden…$120 for a 16 week period—not bad and so good!     The Farmer’s Wife