Spring Fruits and Vegetables: A Guide to Seasonal Produce

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As you think about the health and wellbeing of both yourself and your family, what you eat is a big part of that. If you’re planning your menu—either for regular weeknight dinners or for a special event you’re hosting—incorporating seasonal produce is a win for everyone. Here’s a guide to seasonal produce in Maryland, as well as an overview of what you should know about the benefits of eating seasonally—

Why Buy Seasonal Produce?

Buying seasonal produce is good for you, your local economy, and even the environment. Some of the top benefits of buying seasonal produce include:

  • More nutrients. Did you know that eating produce that’s in season provides more nutritional value than does eating produce that’s out of season? When fruit and vegetables are picked before they are ripe, they lose nutrients every day from when they’re picked to when they’re ready to eat. Seasonal produce, on the other hand, is picked when it’s freshest and after reaching ripeness due to optimal growing conditions rather than artificial conditions or even additives, which means there’s a higher level of antioxidants and less nutrient loss. Eating seasonal fruits and vegetables may also be less inflammatory than eating produce that’s out of season, too. And of course, all those extra nutrients means that eating seasonally is tastier as well! 
  • Supporting local businesses. One of the top benefits of eating seasonal produce is that when you eat what’s grown in your community, you’re supporting local farmers and suppliers. By supporting local businesses, you’re helping to reduce consolidation in the food industry and give your local economy a boon—a win-win for everyone. 
  • Environmental benefits. In some cases, eating what’s grown near you and what’s in season may have benefits for the earth, too. When you eat locally, food doesn’t have to be shipped as far, which results in emissions reductions. The food may also have been grown in a way that’s more sustainable and minimizes the use of chemical fertilizers and weed control inputs, which helps to protect the soil and the ecosystem (and may be better for you, too!). 
  • Opportunity to try something new. Eating seasonal fruits and vegetables also allows you the opportunity to mix up your menu and get out of the routine of eating the same old thing every night. More diversity in your diet is good for you and allows you the opportunity to get new nutrients that you may be missing, and is also fun! If you’ve been looking at a few new recipes but don’t know where to start, picking a few seasonal items to feature is a great option!  

What’s in Season in the Spring in Maryland?

Early-season vegetables in Maryland include leafy greens, like spinach, lettuce, and arugula; herbs like mint, parsley, and thyme; asparagus; peas and pea greens; rhubarb; parsnips; and sometimes even some early-season strawberries (although strawberries are most likely in late spring/early summer). You can find a full list of what’s in season and when on this handy chart provided by the state of Maryland.

And don’t worry—if you miss out on getting some spring produce, there’s a lot to come during the summertime. Maryland produces apples, pears, cherries, cantaloupes, melons, mushrooms, tomatoes, squash, onions, watermelon, raspberries, peaches, collard greens, eggplants, and much, much more. Eating locally is easy and delicious! 

Get the Freshest Produce at Nick’s of Clinton

Not only is eating seasonally good for you, tasty, good for your local economy, and good for the planet—it’s also easy, too! When you shop at Nick’s of Clinton, you’ll find the freshest produce straight from local suppliers. Nick’s of Clinton is proud to offer fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables that are always high-quality. And not only will you find the in-season produce you’re looking for, but all of the other pairings and fixings you need for the perfect meal, too. We carry high-quality meats and seafood, pre-made foods, popular brands of packaged items, and wine, beer, and liquor too. Shopping at Nick’s is convenient and makes planning for all of your springtime meals easy and enjoyable.

Stop By Nick’s of Clinton Today

If you’re looking for something specific or have a question about our fruits, vegetables, or other products, please stop on in or give us a call directly. Serving the Maryland community since the early 1970s, we’re passionate about providing great products and great customer service. Get help finding everything you need today. We look forward to seeing you! 

Nick’s of Clinton – Why Choose Nick’s

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Most people understand that it’s almost always better to shop with a local store or small chain than at a national, big-box store. You walk into a large chain store, and there is something generic and uninviting about the experience. But it’s more than that.

At Nick’s of Clinton, we have deep roots in our community and believe strongly in supporting local businesses. Sure, we benefit when you choose to walk through our door instead of picking the chain store down the street. But the truth is that you benefit as well.

Here are the reasons why you should choose Nick’s of Clinton and continue to support local businesses:

Get Personalized Service

The number one benefit to shopping with a local grocery store like Nick’s of Clinton is that you’re not just another number. Today’s consumers overwhelmingly appreciate personalized service, and you’re unlikely to get that from a big-box store.

When you regularly shop at your local grocer, you’ll form relationships with employees who will understand your wants and needs. Even from your first visit, you’ll get the personalized service you deserve, whether it be at the meat counter, deli, or spirits section. Big chain stores are often limited by corporate policies, but a local store won’t have many of these constraints.

Increased Expertise

Many national retailers are just generalists, meaning they don’t specialize in much of anything. Local stores like Nick’s of Clinton offer a different perspective and experience. When you shop at a local store, you are more likely to get an expert opinion about the items you are purchasing.

To compete, local shop owners and their staff must become experts. For example, if you are having a backyard barbeque and aren’t sure what type of meat will be best for your guests, ask one of our butchers for advice. We can even help you put together catering menus and help you select the right beer, wine, or spirits that will go best with your meal.

More Local Connections

Society has become more transitory. But that’s not necessarily a positive. People still yearn for connections, and this is something your local businesses can provide much better than a national chain.

At Nick’s of Clinton, we have been a staple in the community for over five decades. Our business takes tremendous pride in being a family-owned and run organization. When you shop at Nick’s, you not only make connections with us but also others in your community.

Support the Local Economy

When you shop at local businesses, your spending dollars help create more jobs. One civic economics study compared the economic impact local businesses had on a city compared to national chain stores. The study found that 78.6% of revenue from local businesses was recirculated back into the local economy, with nearly 43% of that coming from labor and profit. On the other hand, national chains recirculated just 30.4% of their revenue back into local economies.
It’s important to remember that shopping locally supports the business owners and the people who work for them. A national chain won’t think twice about cutting staff or closing a store entirely, but you’re unlikely to find a local store that would take these decisions lightly.

Keep Our City Unique

If every city you visited or considered moving to had the same dozen or so national retailers, there wouldn’t be much to get excited about. One of the things that make our communities unique is local businesses like Nick’s of Clinton.

People show pride in their community by shopping locally. When visitors come into town, they often try to figure out “where the locals shop” so that they can get the best quality food and service. At Nick’s, we are proud to be the local grocery store of choice in Clinton.

Shop at Your Local Grocery Store – Nick’s of Clinton

Nick’s Supermarket is a family-run business that has been proudly serving its local community for over 50 years. Our business was built on a foundation of delivering the highest level of customer service along with superior quality products.

When you shop at Nick’s, you get a full-service experience. We provide one-stop shopping for all your needs, including full-service meat and deli departments, an extensive selection of beer, wine, and spirits, and our signature line of Nick’s products, including seasonings, sauces, meatballs, and pastas.

If you’re ready to shop local, come into our store today to get the personalized treatment and quality selection you deserve.