Back in the 1970s when Toby Alves started making her famous tofu paté, eating tofu was considered super-healthy! But now more and more people are anxious about tofu and soy. They’ve heard about studies that make it seem like eating soy is unhealthy. Food trends can get confusing! So let’s see what the evidence really shows on whether tofu and soy are healthy or not.

FIRST, HERE’S WHAT WE LOVE ABOUT SOYBEANS…

• They are rich in nutrients and beneficial plant compounds. Soy can supply essential amino acids, B vitamins, healthy unsaturated fatty acids, and minerals such as calcium, magnesium, zinc, and iron.

• It’s a great way to enjoy plant-based protein. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, half a cup of tofu provides 21.8 grams of protein with 181 calories. 

• Diets rich in minimally processed soy foods can offer health benefits. This article from the New York Times, Is Tofu Good for You, shares what the latest research and the experts say about the benefits.

• And they can taste delicious if they’re prepared right! See below for a few of our favorite, flavor-filled recipes.

BUT AREN’T SOY FOODS LINKED WITH CANCER?

One of the concerns about soy is the fact that it has relatively high levels of isoflavones, plant-based compounds that are structurally similar to the hormone estrogen. This has led some to worry that it might promote breast cancer. However, as reported in the New York Times article, many studies show women who eat higher amounts of soy foods have no greater risk, and sometimes an even lower risk, of developing breast cancer than those who eat little or no soy.

According to a recent article by the American Cancer Society, “So far, the evidence does not point to any dangers from eating soy in people, and the health benefits appear to outweigh any potential risk. In fact, there is growing evidence that eating traditional soy foods such as tofu, tempeh, edamame, miso, and soymilk may lower the risk of breast cancer, especially among Asian women.”

WHY ARE TOFU AND SOY HEALTHY CHOICES FOR OUR HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT?

The benefits for our health include improved heart health, fewer menopause symptoms for some, and even a lower risk of certain cancers. Dr. Qi Sun, from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, led a study published in 2020 that found that consuming more soy isoflavones, especially from tofu, was associated with a moderately lower risk of coronary heart disease. It makes sense to choose tofu and other plant-based proteins when possible since animal-source proteins are associated with a higher risk of heart disease, diabetes, colorectal cancer, and earlier death.

The environment benefits from plant-forward eating as well. Sadly, according to earthday.org, “Our food system accounts for more than a quarter of all greenhouse gas emissions, making animal agriculture one of the largest contributors to climate change.” At Toby’s, we’re big proponents of plant-forward eating. You don’t need to be a vegan or even a vegetarian to be a plant-forward eater. It’s simply getting more plants on your plate. 

A quick caveat, not all soy foods are equally nutritious and beneficial. Heavily processed soy food products often contain more salt, sugar, fat, and unnecessary additives and fillers. Today many products contain soy protein isolate, a concentrated form of plant-based protein originating from soybeans. However, consumers should know that according to the FDA, the majority of soy grown in the US comes from GMO crops.

HOW TO INCORPORATE SOY INTO YOUR DIET

Back to the story of our founder… Toby was a busy working mom looking for an easy way to get some protein into her diet. Ideally, a delicious spread she could eat on the go with just about anything. The result was a protein-rich concoction known as Toby’s Tofu Paté. This first tofu spread was so popular, large supermarkets kept calling to request it. Today, Toby’s Tofu Paté is known as the Original Plant Based Dip & Spread, and it’s still flying off grocery shelves around the PNW and Northern California.

Here are a few other recipes that highlight tofu, but don’t skimp on flavor. Even the pickiest eaters usually devour these recipes!

Breakfast Toast – 3 Ways!

Are you bored of your same old breakfast? Do you struggle to eat protein in the morning? This breakfast toast recipe gives you three ways to bring protein and loads of sunny flavor to your morning.

Seasoned Tofu Bowl

Does tofu seem rather ho-hum to you? You won’t feel that way after you try this recipe! The combination of Toby’s Seasoning Mix with Toby’s Yogurt Ranch Dressing & Dip provides delicious flavor without a lot of effort.

Spring Rice & Veggie Bowl

Yum! We love rice and veggie bowls. Such a great way to enjoy spring veggies. But what about the protein…? This recipe integrates Toby’s Plant Based Dip & Spread for protein and a delicious flavor boost.

If you’re looking for even more inspiration on plant-forward eating, join our family! Stay up-to-date with Toby’s fun new recipes, product savings, and news for food lovers by signing up for our newsletter!

You need to bring something for the upcoming holiday potluck at work or maybe you’re hosting a holiday dinner for your family. You’re a fan of plant-forward meals because you know it’s a good choice for you and the environment. But you’re not sure if the other guests will feel the same way you do. The last thing you want is a dish on the buffet line or on the Thanksgiving table that no one wants to eat. 

With some help from Toby’s, plant-forward dishes don’t have to be boring! In fact, you might even get some die-hard carnivores enjoying these rich, delicious dishes that make use of seasonal vegetables. Before we dive into some of our favorite wintertime holiday recipes, here’s a reminder of some of the seasonal vegetables available during the fall and winter seasons.

Delicious Plant-forward Recipes for the Holiday Season

Tempeh Harvest Bowl with Original Dip

Experience a bounty of sweet and savory fall flavors in this Harvest Bowl with tempeh and roasted sweet potato brought together with a dollop of Toby’s Plant Based Dip!

Roasted Butternut Squash Salad with Honey Mustard

It’s your turn to bring a salad, but you want something more festive than a ho-hum bowl of lettuce. This salad is chock-full of seasonal deliciousness with kale, roasted pepitas, pomegranate seeds, squash, apples, and feta. Drizzle over with Toby’s Honey Mustard Dressing & Dip and you’ll have a memorable salad everyone will enjoy.

Vegetarian Stuffed Acorn Squash with Blue Cheese

This Stuffed Acorn Squash is rich and aromatic with warm quinoa, veggies, spices, and Blue Cheese Dressing baked into the center! Makes for a perfect vegetarian centerpiece this holiday season.

Buttery Ranch Mashed Potatoes

Butter and Ranch make everything better, right? 😋 Serve these creamy, buttery ranch mashed potatoes this season for a simple and easy dish that will certainly please your taste buds.

Stuffed Mushrooms with Feta Cheese

Appetizers are a must for most holiday parties. If you’re looking for a decadent bite-sized option, these tasty stuffed mushrooms are a winner. Toby’s Feta Cheese Dressing & Dip gives them a burst of flavor. Don’t be surprised if you’re asked to bring these every year!

Seasoned Sheet Pan Veggies

Whip up dinner in no time with our simple and easy Sheet Pan Veggies featuring seasoned butternut squash, brussels sprouts, and tofu. Grab a bag of Toby’s Seasoning Mix and try our recipe, or use whatever veggies you have on hand and create your own sheet pan meal. Yum!

If you’re looking for even more inspiration, join our family! Stay up-to-date with Toby’s fun new recipes, product specials and savings, and news for food lovers by signing up for our newsletter!

You feel guilty… there was so much food that you had to toss this morning because it went bad before your family could eat it. All that beautiful produce you were going to use, ugh, what a waste! We’ve all been there…there are times that despite the best of intentions food goes to waste. Let’s talk about some easy ways we can do better!

It’s worth the effort. According to the FDA, “In the United States, food waste is estimated at between 30–40 percent of the food supply.” In fact, wasted food is the single largest category of material placed in landfills. And then think of the water, energy, and labor used to produce wasted food, that could have been used elsewhere.

Then there’s our wallet to think about — groceries are getting more expensive. You don’t want to opt for cheap food with lots of fillers, preservatives and artificial stabilizers. You want nutritious, healthy, natural food because it’s better for you and the environment. 

Let’s see how to minimize the amount of this delicious, healthy food that ends up in your garbage can…

5 “Shop Your Fridge” Tips

#1 – Stay Organized

Imagine shopping in a grocery store where you never knew which aisle the salad dressing was located because every week it changed. But isn’t it true that sometimes food gets “lost” in the fridge and by the time you’ve discovered it, it’s spoiled? Try to stick with a system for where you keep certain types of food so you easily find what you need when you need it.

#2 – Store Smart

There are tricks to storing fresh foods so they last longer. Do your research so you know what temperature to keep your refrigerator at and which food should be stored in each location. (This article from Real Simple has a helpful guide, The Ultimate Guide to Storing Every Type of Food in the Refrigerator for Long-Lasting Freshness.) Also, when you buy something new, rotate the older items to the front so they’re used first before they expire. 

#3 – Use Themes to Stay Flexible

It’s fun to try a new recipe. You run to the store and buy all the ingredients you need so you can follow it down to the letter. While there’s nothing wrong with that, a more flexible approach can help reduce waste. It can be helpful to think of the theme of the meals you want to make this week. Come up with themes you and your family will enjoy — like Meatless Monday, Taco Tuesday, or Friday Pizza Night. Before you head to the store think about the things you already have that can be used for your theme night.

#4 – Make a Random-Ingredient Meal

When you have leftovers or produce that needs to be used now, try one of these adaptable meal options:

• Pizza
• Soup
• Grain bowls
• Tacos
• Enchiladas
• Frittatas
• Salads
• Smoothies
• Parfaits

These particular meals are great because there are hundreds of ways you can use leftovers and random items from your fridge or pantry without having to run to the store to buy more food. For example, we like to put any of our extra summer produce (like berries, peaches and nectarines) in our freezer and then blend it with Genesis Organic Juice for delicious and nutritious smoothies all year long!

Search our recipe page for some inspiration and new, out-of-the-box ideas!

#5 – Get Creative

We love playing with different recipes here at Toby’s. But don’t forget, recipes shouldn’t be written in stone. You can add, subtract or swap things out and still end up with a delicious meal. Did you run out of your favorite Toby’s Ranch Dressing, how about trying Toby’s Blue Cheese Dressing instead? You don’t have your favorite Toby’s Jalapeño Plant Based Dip & Spread but can you swap it for the original flavor with some of Toby’s Seasoning Mix for a bit more punch? You might find new favorites when you give yourself permission to improvise.

To help you “shop your fridge” here are a few of Toby’s Recipes that are flexible and utilize ingredients most of us already have. And don’t forget… it’s okay to get creative with them.

Crispy Roasted Carrot Fries

Sheet Pan Sausage & Veggies

Kid Friendly Bento Box

These five tips are easy and your wallet and the environment will benefit! If you have a creative way you’re using one of Toby’s products, we’d love to hear from you. 

If you’re looking for even more inspiration on healthy, environmentally-friending eating… join our family! You can stay up-to-date with our new recipes, product specials and savings, and tips for healthy food-lovers by signing up for our newsletter.

Here at Toby’s, we love seasonal produce! It supports the local economy, is better for the environment, contains more nutrients, and tastes a whole lot better! So you can’t blame us for getting a little excited during summer here in the Pacific Northwest — especially when we have so many delicious fresh fruits and vegetables to choose from.

Are you looking for some creative summertime recipes to add a little fresh flavor to your meals? 

Or maybe you have an overabundance of delicious, local produce that you don’t want to go to waste?

Let’s take a look at some creative ideas to enjoy the flavor and the health benefits of summertime produce. You’ll see how even fruit can be incorporated into your next dinner––imagine your family’s surprise when you tell them strawberries are for dinner!

So what’s growing during summer? If you visit your local farmer’s market or get a box from your local CSA, here’s what you’re probably seeing.

If you find yourself overwhelmed by more produce than you know what to do with or if you’re just ready to add a little fun summertime flavor to your meals, check out these recipes.

This tip has become more and more popular — instead of buying a disposable item, get something that’s reusable. For example, use a refillable water bottle, instead of plastic disposable water bottles. Or when you go to the grocery store to shop for your favorite Toby’s product, bring your reusable shopping bags instead of the plastic bags the store provides. Waste Management estimates that we use 4 TRILLION plastic bags each year worldwide. Let’s do our part to bring that number down!

Zucchini Fries with Blue Cheese Dressing & Dip 

It seems like many home gardeners have zucchini coming out of their ears! How can you tempt your kids (and yourself!) to eat more zucchini? How about turning them into fries? Add a little Toby’s Blue Cheese Dressing & Dip on the side and watch that zucchini disappear. We also have a recipe for Stuffed Zucchini Boats which are perfect for serving as a plant-forward entrée.

Vegetarian Stuffed Bell Peppers with Jalapeño Ranch

Bell peppers are a summertime veggie favorite. If you want to skip the meat, but not the flavor, check out this flavorful stuffed bell pepper recipe with some added zip from Toby’s Jalapeño Ranch Dressing & Dip.

Jalapeño Cucumber Canapés

Are you looking for an appetizer for a barbeque or picnic? These elegant, plant-based, but mega-tasty canapés featuring Toby’s Jalapeño Dip & Spread are sure to be a hit!

Spicy Shrimp Tacos with Mango Salsa & Jalapeño Ranch Dressing

Tacos are a favorite all year long, but you can add some summer vibes with this delicious recipe starring mango salsa. To prevent these tacos from getting too sweet, add Toby’s Jalapeño Ranch Dressing & Dip for a touch of creamy heat.

Peachy Greens Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing

Nothing says summer like a ripe, juicy peach. They’re great on their own or in a cobbler, but what about adding them to your salad? This recipe includes Toby’s Honey Mustard Dressing to give you the perfect savory component to this sumptuous salad.

Strawberry Spinach Salad with Feta Cheese Dressing

Here’s another salad recipe that tastes like a bite of sunshine. Your fresh, local strawberries will shine in this salad and pair well with the zingy flavor of Toby’s Feta Cheese Dressing & Dip.

If you’re looking for even more inspiration, join our family! Stay up-to-date with Toby’s fun new recipes, product specials and savings, and news for food-lovers by signing up for our newsletter!

Earth Day is almost here! Every year since 1970 the world celebrates our planet on April 22nd. Do you have any plans for Earth Day this year? Here at Toby’s, we celebrate Earth Day but we also try to be environmentally conscious throughout the year. We believe that we can all make a difference and small actions can compound into big results.

The key to success is to fight a sense of overwhelm by taking small steps. This is our philosophy when it comes to healthy eating and it’s our philosophy with the environment as well. So we are really excited to share with you some tips that will make a difference without being too hard or overwhelming. In fact, these activities are not only easy they can also be a lot of fun!

Tip #1 — Participate in a Local Recycling or Clean-Up Initiative

Toby’s regularly partners with Nancy’s Springfield Creamery for a recycling round-up to collect our plastic containers. Most likely there’s a local clean-up initiative in your neighborhood that could use your help. But even if you don’t participate in an organized event, pick up trash in your neighborhood when you’re on your next walk. Remember, small actions can make a big difference.

Tip #2 — Choose Reusable Bottles & Bags

This tip has become more and more popular — instead of buying a disposable item, get something that’s reusable. For example, use a refillable water bottle, instead of plastic disposable water bottles. Or when you go to the grocery store to shop for your favorite Toby’s product, bring your reusable shopping bags instead of the plastic bags the store provides. Waste Management estimates that we use 4 TRILLION plastic bags each year worldwide. Let’s do our part to bring that number down!

Tip #3 — Eat Less Meat

According to earthday.org, “Our food system accounts for more than a quarter of all greenhouse gas emissions, making animal agriculture one of the largest contributors to climate change.” At Toby’s we’re big proponents of plant-forward eating. You don’t need to be a vegan or even a vegetarian to be a plant-forward eater. It’s simply getting more plants on your plate. You can embrace the plant-forward approach to eating, and still occasionally eat meat or dairy. It’s just that proportionately you choose more of your food from plant sources. Find tips to get started here — Toby’s Products — Helping You Ease Into Plant-Forward Eating.

Tip #4 — Support Your Local CSA

CSA stands for “community supported agriculture.” With most CSAs you’re getting excellent produce at extremely fair prices. This is because you skip over the middleman, transportation, and storage costs which is good for the environment and your budget. Learn more about how you can support your local CSA!

Tip #5 — Reuse Containers

Before you toss Toby’s containers in your recycle bin we have a better idea — reuse them! By reusing our Toby’s containers (or any other containers) you don’t have to buy that item. It’s actually kind of fun to get creative with all the different ways items can be repurposed.

Here’s how you can reuse Toby’s Dressing jars:

Here’s how you can reuse Toby’s Dip & Spread containers:

Are you inspired to try one of our tips? Do you have a clever way you reuse Toby’s containers? Head over to our Facebook page and share your ideas. 

If you’re looking for even more inspiration, join our family! Stay up-to-date with Toby’s fun new recipes, product specials and savings, and news for environmentally-conscious food lovers by signing up for our newsletter!

Most of us have heard about plant-based eating, but we’re loving a new term we’re hearing lately — plant-forward eating. You don’t need to be a vegan or even a vegetarian to be a plant-forward eater. This concept is more inclusive to a variety of dietary preferences.

Plant-forward is simply about getting more plants on your plate. This goes beyond fruits and vegetables, to include nuts, seeds, oils, whole grains, legumes and beans. You can embrace the plant-forward approach to eating, and still occasionally eat meat or dairy. It’s just that proportionately you choose more of your food from plant sources.

What Are the Health Benefits of Plant-Forward Eating?

Let’s talk about personal health benefits first. Recently, researchers have examined plant-forward eating, particularly the Mediterranean diet which has a foundation of plant-based foods. According to an article on Harvard Health, “The Mediterranean diet has been shown in both large population studies and randomized clinical trials to reduce risk of heart disease, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, certain cancers (specifically colon, breast, and prostate cancer), depression, and in older adults, a decreased risk of frailty, along with better mental and physical function.”

Toby’s Tips to Ease Into a Plant-Forward Diet

Snack on veggies. Have pre-cut veggies ready to snack on — carrots, bell peppers, cucumbers, celery and more. If you need a little protein when you’re on the go, try Toby’s Plant Based Dip & Spread. Made with full fat, eggless mayonnaise, it provides a healthy boost of protein since it’s made with organic, non-GMO soybeans. 

Make meat the side dish, instead of the main course. Try making vegetables the star of the meal. You can steam, braise, stir-fry or even grill them to preserve their flavor, like this recipe for Grilled Vegetable Kabobs with Ranch Dressing.

Make a tasty vegetarian meal once a week. Vegetarian doesn’t have to be boring. If you don’t believe us, try our recipe for Tofu Tacos or Stuffed Bell Peppers — they’re so full of flavor you won’t miss the meat. (Psst… Toby’s Seasoning Mix is the perfect way to introduce tofu into your diet.)

Make salad more filling. Yes! You can get full having a salad for dinner. The key is fresh local ingredients topped with a delicious dressing. Take, for example, Brussels Sprouts Pear Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing & Dip. It’s so filling and with just a sprinkle of bacon, you’ll enjoy the flavor without all the calories. If you’re looking for inspiration, look at some of our other salad recipes.

Eat meat from local butchers and farmers. When you do choose to eat meat, try to find sustainably raised beef, chicken, and pork. There’s a huge benefit to finding local farmers that use good practices, like avoiding the addition of hormones, antibiotics, preservatives and chemicals. And since it doesn’t involve shipping long distances, buying local is better for the environment as well.

Sneak in more fruit with juice. It can be hard to find time to eat right when we’re busy juggling a million other things. That’s probably one of the reasons why our Genesis Organic Juice enjoys a such cult following. This raw, organic juice is cold-pressed and handcrafted in small batches, making it a healthy and delicious way for fruit on the go!

Choose healthy fats and protein. Low-fat doesn’t always mean healthy. Instead, try to focus on fats that are good for you like olive oil, olives, nuts and nut butters, seeds, and avocados. Speaking of avocados, you have to try this recipe — Grilled Avocados with Vegetable Quinoa and Blue Cheese Dressing!

Here are some easy plant-based protein options to keep you fueled throughout your day:

We hope you found a few tips to help you and your family ease into plant-forward eating. Here at Toby’s our goal is to provide a pathway to a better diet by inspiring the vegan, the carnivore, and the rest of us in between to eat better and feel better!

If you’re looking for even more inspiration, join our family! Stay up-to-date with Toby’s fun new recipes, product specials and savings, and news for food-lovers by signing up for our newsletter!

Here’s a question we hear from new customers, “Why can’t I find Toby’s Dressing in the same aisle with all the other salad dressings?” If you’re looking for Toby’s Dressing & Dip amidst the shelf-stable ranch dressing, you won’t find us there. Toby’s Dressing is always in the refrigerated section. Let’s talk about why it should matter to health-conscious consumers.

In order to make a shelf-stable product, you have to add ingredients — namely preservatives, MSG, and artificial stabilizers and flavors. Our mission at Toby’s is…

So for us, a bunch of extra, unhealthy ingredients are out of the question. Instead, we rely on simple, nutritious, locally-sourced ingredients, including milk from local herds. We believe this is not only a whole lot healthier, it tastes way better too!

Toby’s Dressing is found in the refrigerated section of the grocery store, where they stay fresh and delicious until you take them home! Psst…don’t put them in the pantry by accident—remember they belong in the fridge.

To help you see the difference, let’s compare Toby’s Ranch and another popular shelf-stable ranch:

So what should you do as a consumer to make sure you’re making a good, healthy choice for your salad dressing? You work too hard to make a nutritious salad or cut-up veggies to have it ruined by an unhealthy, less-tasty dressing!

Here are a few guidelines:

Read the back label. The front label will most likely sound nutritious with words like organic, healthy, low-calorie. Don’t be deceived. You should be able to understand what all of the ingredients listed on the back label are. If there are a bunch of words you’ve never heard of, then most likely you’re looking at fillers and preservatives.

Beware of fat-free. That sounds good, doesn’t it? But healthy fats can be good for you and add balance to your salad. A low-fat or fat-free dressing often has less-nutritious ingredients like sugar, excess sodium, and even artificial colors, and flavors.

Shop in the refrigerated section. As we already mentioned, shelf-stable foods, especially ones that contain dairy, need extra preservatives to last on that shelf for months and months, even years! Instead, shop in the refrigerated section (preferably for Toby’s) and you’ll find a much fresher selection with simpler ingredients.

So now you see why Toby’s Dressing has so many fans! You may think with the cost of these yummy ingredients and refrigeration you’d have to pay more. We work hard to keep our pricing competitive, but on average Toby’s is a little bit more than most shelf-stable dressings. Luckily, it tastes so good you never have to worry about throwing away a half-used bottle. Your family will devour it along with your delicious, nutritious salad. 

Now that you know which aisle to find Toby’s Dressing, look for us at your local grocery store near the produce section! We’re now available across the nation––click here to find a store near you.

You can stay up-to-date with our new recipes, fun giveaways, product specials and savings, and tips for food-lovers by signing up for our newsletter.

What creates the most controversy for your friends and family when you get together for game day? Is it which football team you’re rooting for or is it what you’ll snack on while you’re watching? Your brother is a carnivore, your mom is vegetarian, and your nephews are picky eaters! Sound familiar? How can you please the entire gang so they’ll relax and enjoy watching the game?

Here at Toby’s, we believe that good snacks are all about delicious dips! Our founder, Toby, was a single, working mom. One of her kids had severe food allergies so her goal was to use real ingredients for her dips that made veggies simply irresistible. She’d be a big fan of our Game Day Snack Board — it’s sure to please all your guests!

Game Day Snack Board with Blue Cheese Dressing and Plant Based Dip

Get The Recipe Here

The secret to this Game Day Snack Board is the choice of two dips!

Choice #1 is Toby’s Blue Cheese Dressing, an all-time favorite because it’s good on anything — veggies, chicken wings, crackers and more. And any health-conscious foodies will appreciate that there’s no MSG, preservatives, artificial stabilizers or flavors. It’s made with rBST-free buttermilk from local closed herd family dairies just a few miles away from us.

Choice #2 is Toby’s Jalapeño Dip & Spread. This dip provides just the right amount of kick to give your taste buds a gentle zing. Made with a full fat, eggless mayonnaise, this will be a favorite with chips and veggies. It also provides a healthy boost of protein since it’s made with organic, non-GMO soybeans. (But don’t tell the carnivore, he’ll love the flavor, he doesn’t have to know it’s good for him!)

Loaded Tator Tots with Ranch Dressing & Dip

Get The Recipe Here

French Bread Pizza with Jalapeño Ranch

Get The Recipe Here

Crispy Chicken Tenders with Honey Mustard

Get The Recipe Here

Psst… if you can’t find the particular Toby’s product you’re looking for at your local store, find nationwide distribution options here. You can stay up-to-date with our new recipes, product specials and savings, and tips for healthy food-lovers by signing up for our newsletter.

It’s easy to be drawn to seasonal produce during summer or early autumn. What’s not to love with farm-fresh strawberries and corn on the cob? But we may forget that seasonal produce is available all year long, even in the middle of winter. Let’s explore the benefits of eating seasonally and give you some of our favorite fall and winter recipes showcasing seasonal produce.

Here at Toby’s Family Foods, we’re big supporters of community supported agriculture, aka CSA. Supporting local farms is good for the community, good for the environment, and good for your health! Eating local does mean eating what’s in season, but we find that to be a good thing too.

It’s true that in this modern age, you can buy a huge variety of produce all year long at your grocery store. (And no, we don’t hold buying that carton of strawberries in December against you!) But we believe it’s worth your while to do a little investigating on the local, seasonal food that’s available to you.

As temperatures drop and the days grow shorter, it doesn’t necessarily mean the end to local fruits and vegetables. There are methods that farmers use to extend the natural growing season, as well as vegetables that store well, like cabbages and potatoes. And don’t forget about cold-weather crops! This combination means that across most of the country there are plenty of local winter fruits and vegetables available.

Beyond being good for your local economy and the environment, seasonal food just tastes better! A lot better! Seasonal produce from your local farm or CSA is fresher since it doesn’t require thousands of miles of transportation to get to your local store. Your palette can discern the difference. That’s because out-of-season produce is harvested early to allow time for shipping and distribution. Whereas, the crops at your local farm are usually picked at their peak of ripeness. Not only is this a whole lot tastier, but studies are showing that seasonal produce contains more nutrients when allowed to ripen naturally.

Are you ready to start exploring your seasonal produce options?

Here are some helpful charts we’ve put together for seasonal options during fall, winter, and spring months:

Now that you have delicious, local produce, how can you prepare them? So many, many ways! Toby’s archive of recipes for all seasons is at your disposal. Here are a few of our fall and wintertime favorites:

Brussels Sprouts Pear Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing & Dip

Get the recipe here

Winter Citrus & Beet Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing

Get the recipe here

Apple Pie Smoothie Bowl with PNW Apple Juice

Get the recipe here

Psst… if you can’t find the particular Toby’s product you’re looking for at your local store, find nationwide distribution options here. You can stay up-to-date with our new recipes, product specials and savings, and tips for healthy food-lovers by signing up for our newsletter.