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Buyers’ guide to Georgia’s fresh fruit and vegetables
Georgia farmers grow some of the best fresh fruit and vegetables. On pages 24-26 you’ll find a list of Georgia Farm Bureau Certified Farm Markets that sell farm fresh produce across the state. Below you’ll find a guide for selecting fresh fruit and vegetables. Bon appetit!
BELL PEPPERS
Bell peppers should be well-shaped and firm. Look for bell peppers with uniform, glossy color and thick walls. Soft watery spots found on the sides of bell peppers indicate decay. Avoid bell peppers with pale skin and soft, pliable flesh, which indicates immaturity. Store bell peppers in the refrigerator crisper, and they will stay fresh for up to two weeks. When cooking with bell peppers, remove the seeds before serving.
BLUEBERRIES
Look for plump, firm, fresh blueberries that are a light powdery blue-gray color. If covered properly and refrigerated, fresh blueberries will keep up to three weeks. Frozen blueberries can last up to two years, if stored properly.
CANTALOUPES
When buying cantaloupes choose medium sized melons with thick, above surface netting. Georgia cantaloupe is available from May through October. Cantaloupe is grown primarily in the Southern and South-central parts of the state.
CORN
Select corn with bright green, snug husks. Kernels should be fresh, tender, plump and just firm enough to offer slight resistance to pressure. Ears of corn will keep for several days in the refrigerator; if wrapped tightly in plastic film or stored in air-tight containers.To store: cut away the base of the ear to the bottom kernels.
CUCUMBERS
Look for well shaped, well-developed cucumbers that are not too large in diameter. Even the best cucumbers could have small lumps on their surfaces.
PEACHES
When selecting peaches, smell the fruit. The peach should have a pleasingly sweet fragrance. Look for a creamy gold to yellow under color. The red or “blush” of a peach is an indication of variety, not ripeness. Don’t squeeze peaches; they bruise easily.
Place firm peaches on the counter for a day or two and they’ll ripen. Promptly refrigerate ripe peaches, and eat them within a week of purchase. To peel a peach, dip it into boiling water for 30 seconds, then in cold water. The peel should slide off easily. To keep sliced peaches from darkening, add lemon juice or ascorbic acid.
SNAP BEANS
When buying snap beans, look for beans with a fresh, bright green color. It’s best to buy young, tender beans with crisp, firm pods. Snap beans with thick, tough, fibrous pods are over-mature beans. Snap beans vary in shape but are mostly light-to-dark green in color. Snap beans differ slightly from pole beans because they are thin and round; pole beans are thin and flat.Snap beans should be refrigerated and will stay fresh for 3 to 5 days.
SQUASH
Summer squash should be tender. If the skin is glossy, not dull, hard or tough, the squash is likely to be tender. Avoid stale or over-mature summer squash which will have a dull appearance and a hard, tough surface. Such squash usually have enlarged seeds and dry, stringy flesh. If refrigerated, summer squash will keep up to two weeks.
TOMATOES
Look for well-formed tomatoes that are smooth, ripe and blemish-free. Fully ripe tomatoes will be a consistent, rich red color and will be slightly soft. For tomatoes not quite fully ripe, look for color ranging from pink to light red and firm texture.Tomatoes with the stems attached lose moisture more slowly and stay fresh longer. Avoid overripe and bruised tomatoes which are soft and watery. Tomatoes should not have green or yellow areas or cracks near the stem scar. Avoid tomatoes with soft spots, depressed areas or surface mold. If tomatoes need ripening, store them at room temperature. Don’t store tomatoes in the refrigerator unless they’re fully ripe. The cold temperatures might keep them from ripening. Store tomatoes stem-up, to avoid bruising the shoulders.
VIDALIA ONIONS
Vidalia® onions should have a light, golden-brown exterior and a milky white interior. They should be rounded on the bottom and slightly flat on top. To enjoy Vidalia® onions longer than the 10-12 weeks they’re available each year, buy in large quantities and store them properly.
WATERMELONS
Choose a firm, symmetrical watermelon that is free of bruises, cuts and dents. Choosing a ripe watermelon is very important, since melons won’t continue to ripen much after they’ve been picked. Before buying, lift the melon. If it’s ripe, it should feel heavy for its size. Next, turn it over. On the underbelly you should see a creamy yellow splotch. If the splotch is white or green, the watermelon was harvested too soon. Along with a creamy underneath, a ripe watermelon sounds hollow when tapped with your knuckles. You can learn to distinguish the sound. Tap several melons at the market and pay attention to which ones sound hollow. If you find a melon that thuds dully, compare that sound to the others and find one that does not.
These markets sell farm-fresh products and are dedicated to customer satisfaction. They offer fully ripened fruits and vegetables, fresh flowers or plants, with all the color and freshness that can only be obtained direct from the farm. In addition, many of the markets offer other taste treats such as honey, syrup, pecans, pecan candy, peanuts and apple cider.
Other markets sell Christmas trees during the holiday season and offer the opportunity to cut your own. Many farm markets offer tours, hayrides and other entertainment activities for the entire family.
Should you have any questions, comments or suggestions please write or call:
Georgia Farm Bureau Marketing Association
P.O. Box 7068
Macon, Georgia 31209
(478) 474-8411 or 1-800-342-1196
E-mail: ralucas@gfb.org
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