Our Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Sandwiches were just the beginning of the last trip to the farmer’s market.

This is the delicious, succulent, juicy produce that can be found at SLO’s Farmer’s Market. And let me tell you, these fruits are even tastier than they look! Buying produce at a Farmer’s market is a win-win. You win because you score the most delicious local produce and the farmer’s win because you are supporting the fruits of their labor…get it? “Fruits” of their labor…hehe.

This week I (Sam) bought strawberries, raspberries, clementines, plums, and avocados. These fruits are all nutritional powerhouses.

Strawberries: 1 cup of strawberries provides 112.8% of your daily vitamin C needs and are also a good source of manganese and fiber. Additionally, research has shown that strawberries can help regulate blood sugar, making them beneficial for people with Type 2 Diabetes. It’s best to eat strawberries raw so that the flavor and digestive enzymes are preserved. Try to eat them within 2 days because after that, your red berry friends will suffer significant vitamin C  and polyphenol antioxidant loss, according to the World’s Healthiest Food Organization.

Raspberries: 1 cup of raspberries contain 42% of your daily vitamin C needs and even more manganese and fiber than strawberries. They are also high in antioxidants and have anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties. Always try to purchase raspberries that are fully ripe, as they provide more antioxidants than raspberries that are less ripe. However, be sure to eat them quickly because they are highly perishable.

Clementines: 1 clementine has about 53 calories which is considered low-calorie. Additionally, they are rich in vitamin C and have antioxidants in quantities several times higher than oranges. One reason I like clementines better than tangerines is because they are virtually seedless!

Plums: This delicious fruit is even lower in calories than clementines (46 cals) but just as nutrient dense. Plums contain dietary fiber and other compounds that help to regulate the digestive tract. These particular plums tasted like they were mixed with grapes…delicious!

Avocados: High in poly- and monounsaturated fatty acids and high in fiber; eating them in the summer can help protect against dry skin and hair (so eat up!). Every single avocado I bought was perfectly green with no brown spots…happy day!

Now comes the question…what to do with all this produce?? Well, the simplest way to enjoy it is just eating it by itself, allowing the juice to drip down your arms-my absolute fave! Adding it to cereal, yogurt, or making it into a smoothie are all good options, too.

What would you do?