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As finals wrap up this time of year, our energy moves toward packing, recycling binders full of now-useless class notes, and heading home for the summer. Home, finally. It’s a beautiful thing, regarded not only as the place where we grew up, but now a place of sleeping in, family togetherness, and overall comfort.
Although a certain loss of autonomy tends to accompany this homecoming (hello curfew reincarnated), living at home for the summer does have its perks. My favorite: you can take advantage of the incredible fruit selection found at nearly every grocery store. Not only is most of this fruit ripe and in season, but it’s arguably some of the best fruit of all the seasons. Watermelon? Peaches? Strawberries? MANGOS?? Yes, please.
Shop the ads. Not only is summer fruit available in abundance, but it’s also reasonably priced. Produce arrives at grocery stores in waves, so look out for smokin’ deals on a single item. Once something goes on sale, buy several pieces of varying ripeness and eat them as they ripen, ensuring you with a steady supply for multiple days.
Check out local farmers’ markets. The whole “locavore” movement has done great things for fresh produce availability. Most markets will advertise in local papers or in online directories. Grab a friend, parent, or sibling, and make it an outing—buying the fruit here is just as fun as eating it!
Learn where to buy in bulk. If you are really into fruit like I am, you will want to find the cheapest way to stock your morning smoothie. Most major towns have at least one produce warehouse that sell to smaller grocery stores. Here you can show up and purchase your fruit wholesale in bulk. Need to make a triple batch of watermelon ice for a pool party? This is the place to go.
As great as my college dining hall is, it definitely lags in the fresh fruit department, making me ravenous for the stuff when summer rolls around. With a little planning, you can satisfy your fruit deficit upon your return home and feel better doing so—fruit is the best natural source of carbohydrates, delivering sustenance in a fiber-filled, hydrating package that will send your energy levels through the roof. Plus, you can never eat too much fruit—it’s that good for you.
Even if you live at home during the school year, eating more fruit is the perfect opportunity to shake off the remainder of that freshman 15. Just try it—you’ll get a peek at grocery shopping for yourself, and summer will taste that much better.