• By Lynne Mitchell
• Posted Monday, April 3, 2017

Support local foods and eat local year round!

Broccoli is the vegetable of the month for April. Loved and hated by US presidents, broccoli is a cruciferous vegetable and very nutritious. Cruciferous vegetables are rich in several carotenoids, vitamins C, E, and K; folate; and minerals. They also are a good fiber source.

Broccoli was developed from wild cabbage during Roman times, and was enjoyed immensely by the Romans. Broccoli was introduced to the United States during colonial times, but did not gain popularity until the 1920’s.

To keep your broccoli fresh and crisp, store it in your vegetable crisper, unwashed in a perforated bag, and try to use within a few days.

Eating a diet with a colorful and wide variety of fruits and vegetables supports optimal health. You can find broccoli and other locally grown foods at Farmers Markets and other food retailers.

Buying locally grown foods supports our local economy. Consider joining the NC 10% Campaign by pledging to spend 10% of your existing food budget on locally grown foods. For more information, visit http://ncpercent-campaign.squarespace.com/

Click here for flyer on broccoli and a broccoli recipe.

Click here for a flyer showing foods in season in April.