-Information courtesy Tracy Madigan, Market Manager, Vance County Regional Farmers Market
Seed-Spitting Contest, Anyone?
You guessed it – watermelons are now in season and available at your VCRFM. Seems no other produce screams summer like watermelon. We love the refreshing taste, but thing is, there is more to watermelon than just its flavor. It boasts some powerful health benefits, too. At 46 calories per cup, watermelon offers 20% of your daily intake of Vitamin C and 17% of Vitamin A. That’s not all, watermelon contains dietary fiber for digestive health as well as potassium, a mineral that helps keep blood pressure capped.
Watermelon has 1.5 times more lycopene (6 milligrams/cup) than tomatoes. Lycopene is thought to act as a super antioxidant – stopping free radicals from damaging your cells, messing with your immune system, and may help fight heart disease and some cancers.
Watermelon also contains citrulline, a natural substance that’s been tied to improved artery function and lower blood pressure.
But is it a fruit or a vegetable? Actually, it is both! It is a close cousin of cucumbers, pumpkins & squash.
Probably best of all during our scorching hot summer months, watermelon is packed with, well, water! In fact, it is 92% water which is some serious hydration power. That’s a big deal since being dehydrated is bad for our health.
Now about that seed-spitting contest… You may want to rethink that. Roasted watermelon seeds are much more nutritious than many other snacks. An ounce of watermelon seeds (approximately 400 seeds) has 158 calories. They also contain magnesium, iron, folate (folic acid or vitamin B-9) and monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids (which are useful in lowering LDL cholesterol levels).
So, celebrate National Watermelon Month (July, of course) by treating yourself to a fresh, local, delicious and nutritious watermelon from your VCRFM. You will find a variety to choose from!
(The above information was excerpted from USDA article 3730)
What You Will Find at the Market This Week
Beets, blueberries, butter beans, cabbage, cantaloupes, corn, cucumbers, eggs, eggplant, garlic, green beans, onions, peaches, peppers, pink eye purple hull peas, pork, potatoes, squash, tomatoes (green, red & heirloom), watermelon and zucchini.
We also have plenty of canned vegetables, honey, molasses, salsa, chow-chow, bbq sauces, jellies, jams, wine, soaps, bath salts, scented candles, cut sunflowers and unique handmade crafts.
Anticipated Vendors – Saturday, July 14:
Adcock Farm
Backroad Farm & Vineyard
Burgess Farms
Cakes Delish
Culver Farms Honey
Donation Station
Faulkner Family Farms
Honeyberry Hills Farm
Imperial Stitching
JASM Farms
Jerri’s Things
Kelly Lynn Photography
LouMag Ent.
Master Gardeners
O’Reilly’s Curry Q & Sauce
Pretty Tough Stuff
Short’s Family Farms
Woodwick Designs
* VCRFM open Wednesdays & Saturdays from 7:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
VCRFM Welcomes SNAP/EBT
Contacts:
Market Manager: Tracy Madigan @ 252-598-0814
Extension Agent: Paul McKenzie @ 252-438-8188
The Farmers Market building is available for rent. Contact Tracy Madigan for pricing and available dates.
(This is not a paid advertisement)
