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Food Bank Article: North Carolina Produce and Recipe for Melon Salad

Enjoy this recipe for Melon Salad from the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina as well as a reminder about all the wonderful local produce available in the area.

Posted 2021-06-14T21:49:13+00:00 - Updated 2021-06-14T13:02:00+00:00

Sara Clement

, RD, LDN

One of the things I have greatly enjoyed about living in North Carolina for the last 30 years is growing my own vegetables and buying fresh local produce found at roadside stands all summer. Here's a recipe for Melon Salad from the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina as well as a reminder about all the wonderful local produce available in the area.

North Carolina Produce

By Sara Clement, RD, LDN, Food Bank Director of Community Health & Nutrition

North Carolina has a long growing season, meaning it can offer a variety of local produce throughout the year. There are many benefits to eating fruits and vegetables in season including cost savings, freshness, variety, and even creativity! Below are a few of North Carolina’s summer produce favorites. Try something new and buy local.

Summer Fruits

Blackberries

Blueberries

Cantaloupe

Watermelons

Plums

Peaches

Summer Vegetables

Cabbage

Carrots

Cucumbers

Eggplant

Greens

Okra

Peppers

Potatoes

Snap Beans

Sweet Corn

Squash/Zucchini

Tomatoes

Refreshing Melon Salad Recipe

Enjoy the following recipe for Refreshing Melon Salad shared by the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina.

Refreshing Melon Salad (Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina)

Healthy Recipe Videos

The Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina has put together a series of healthy recipe videos that are available to watch on YouTube.com HERE.

About the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina: The Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina is a nonprofit organization that has provided food for people at risk of hunger in 34 counties in central and eastern North Carolina for 40 years. The Food Bank serves a network of more than 900 partner agencies such as soup kitchens, food pantries, shelters, and programs for children and adults through warehouses in Durham, Greenville, New Bern, Raleigh, the Sandhills (Southern Pines), and Wilmington.

The Food Bank not only feeds those who are hungry; but also works to benefit community health. That’s why, in 2016, the Food Bank launched a Community Health & Engagement Department. With two nutritionists on staff, the Food Bank shares recipes, healthy tips, and other resources for partner agencies and neighbors in need. The on-site teaching kitchen in Raleigh offers cooking demonstrations and nutrition education to highlight easy, quick, and low-cost recipes using healthful foods like whole grains, fresh produce, low fat dairy, and lean meats.

Monthly Articles from the Food Bank

The Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina shares regular articles about nutrition and health education so we know what to look for when we head to the grocery store and plan our healthy meals.

February 2020 Article: New changes to the food label guidelines