September Brings Cooler Weather, Comfort Foods and Back-To-School Snacks!

One of our favorite snack trends is our bite-size CLEAN SNAX®. These delicious, wholesome bites are gluten-free, low-fat, low-sodium and contain no artificial ingredients. Many flavors are also vegan! CLEAN SNAX® come in several addicting flavors, perfect for lunch boxes or after-school snacks! Some favorite flavors are: Peanut Butter, Almond, Coconut, Cranberry, and our newest edition, Tropical!

Edamame is gaining popularity as a lunchbox favorite. We offer them in or out of the shell—they are both delicious and nutritious. Fresh carrots and light ranch dip are always popular, as well as snap peas, broccoli pieces and teardrop tomatoes. Try slicing some fresh baby cucumbers; they are refreshing and satisfying. Fresh fruit cut into cubes makes a perfect addition to lunch and adds some natural energy to your child’s day. Sliced apples with some low-fat cheese or even low-fat caramel are also a perfect snack.

Get creative with polenta, quinoa or couscous by adding fresh vegetables and a light balsamic vinaigrette for a filling, healthy and nutritious lunch. Whatever you prepare and send to school, make sure you pack it well, and make it fun and appetizing so your child will eat it!

JEWISH HIGH HOLY DAYS
The Jewish High Holy Days are observed during the 10-day period between the first day (Rosh Hashanah) and the 10th day (Yom Kippur) of Tishri, the seventh month of the Jewish calendar.

Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are the most important of all Jewish Holidays and the only holidays that are purely religious, as they are not related to any historical or natural event.

Rosh Hashanah
Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is celebrated on the first and second days of Tishri. This year, it begins September 15th at sundown and concludes September 17th at sundown. It is a time of family gatherings, special meals and sweet-tasting foods. Rosh Hashanah begins a 10-day period, known as the High Holy Days or Yamim Nora'im, a time of penitence and prayer that ends with Yom Kippur. Jews worldwide are given these 10 days to repent for their sins and ask G-d for forgiveness.

Rosh Hashanah is widely known and celebrated as the New Year’s Day of the Jewish calendar, but actually, Rosh Hashanah has a fourfold meaning: It is the Jewish New Year, the Day of Judgment, the Day of Remembrance, and the Day of Shofar Blowing.
It is the Day of Judgment:
As Jews worldwide examine their past deeds and asks for forgiveness for their sins.
It is the Day of Shofar Blowing:
The Shofar (the ram’s horn) is blown in the temple to herald the beginning of the 10-day period known as the High Holy Days.
It is the Day of Remembrance:
As Jews review the history of their people and pray for Israel.
And, of course, it is New Year's Day:
Celebrated with its holiday greeting cards, special prayers and festive, sweet foods to ensure sweetness in the New Year.

Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the most solemn day of the Jewish year and is observed on the tenth day of Tishri. This year, it is September 24th at sundown and concludes September 25th at sundown. It is a day of fasting, reflection and prayers.
"May you be inscribed in the Book of Life" is the common greeting during this period, as it is believed that on Rosh Hashanah, the destiny of all mankind is recorded by G-d in the Book of Life. On Yom Kippur, the Book is closed and sealed. Those that have repented for their sins are granted a good and happy New Year.

High Holy Day Fruits and Vegetables

Most foods eaten during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur represent a sweet future: Carrots, Raisins, Apples, Sweet Potatoes, Pomegranates, Prunes and Honey.

These are some of the more popular items eaten, as nothing should be sour or bitter: Leeks, Onions, Beets, Turnips, Quince, Gourds, Anise, Pumpkins and Zucchini.

Some other items used in preparing traditional Rosh Hashanah dishes are: Squash, Yams, Bell Peppers, Tomatoes, Nuts, Grapes, Plums, Lemons, Cucumbers, Potatoes, Herbs, Pineapples and Apricots.

Some convenient holiday essential ingredients in ready-to-go packages are our Beets, Leeks, Lentils and Potatoes. These will save you time and make your recipes delicious.

LABOR DAY
Labor Day originated in 1894 with President Grover Cleveland. Labor Day began as a protest with the railroad workers back in the day because the workers wanted better pay. Since this was an election year, President Cleveland believed making Labor Day a holiday would help win him votes—even though that did not happen and he was not re-elected, we do still celebrate today.

Today, Labor Day is a nationwide holiday; generally, there is no school, and the banks and post office are closed! This year, Labor Day is Monday, September 4th. Fall is very near, and in some areas, the weather is already turning cold. If you are lucky enough to have barbecuing weather, try some of our favorite grilling items. Fresh peppers, fresh fruit and fresh vegetables and even stone fruit make wonderful grilling items to enhance your family barbecue.

FALL IS HERE!
September 22, 2023, is the first day of fall. For many of us, that means trees turn beautiful colors and the season of pomegranates, fresh apples and squash is upon us. Halloween is right around the corner and cold-weather recipes will be popular. Melissa’s Pearl Onions and Winter Squash are some of the most popular fall vegetables.

Cold-weather cooking ingredients like our Steamed Lentils are perfect for soups and stews. Use our Cleaned & Sliced Leeks to add a mild onion flavor to any dish. Make your favorite chili recipe using our Six-Bean Medley in a fraction of the time it would normally take. Be sure to check out some of our favorite fall recipes for soups and stews here.