April Fresh is in the Air!
- April Fool’s Day – April 1, 2026
- Passover – April 1st @ sundown- April 9th
- Easter – April 5th, 2026
- Earth Day – April 22nd, 2026
- National Soy Month
April Fool’s Day
April Fools’ Day, celebrated each year on April 1, is a lighthearted occasion when people around the world share pranks, jokes, and playful tricks. Rooted in centuries of tradition, cultures everywhere have contributed to their own mischievous customs. Whether it’s a harmless practical joke, a funny hoax, or a playful announcement, April Fools’ Day is all about laughter and surprise in good spirits. The day often brings moments of confusion followed by smiles, reminding us not to take ourselves too seriously and to enjoy a good laugh.
Passover
This meaningful Jewish holiday is celebrated by Jewish communities worldwide, and fresh produce plays an important role in many traditions. In 2026, Passover begins at sundown on April 1 and concludes at sundown on April 9. The holiday commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people from slavery in Egypt.
Passover is also known as the Festival of Unleavened Bread. During their hurried departure from Egypt, the Hebrews did not have time to let bread rise, so they prepared unleavened bread, or matzo. Families gather for one or more Seders, festive meals filled with ritual foods, storytelling from the Haggadah, singing, wine or grape juice, and meaningful participation from all ages.
At the center of the Seder table sits the symbolic Seder plate, often handmade and passed down through generations. The plate includes six items: a roasted egg, horseradish, a roasted lamb shank, charoset, bitter herbs (often lettuce or endive), and greens such as parsley. Charoset, a mixture of fruits, nuts, and spices representing mortar used during enslavement, varies widely by tradition, and Melissa’s offers a diverse selection of ingredients to create personalized versions.
Wine is served throughout the Seder, while children typically enjoy grape juice. A favorite moment for children is searching for the hidden Afikoman, a piece of matzo used later in the service. The youngest child often reads the Four Questions, helping explain the meaning of Passover.
For your Passover table, consider Melissa’s potatoes, boiler onions, fresh parsley for karpas, horseradish for bitter herbs and maror, and apple-pears for creative charoset. Baby Red Potatoes, Pearl Onions, Celery Root, Parsley Root, and Baby Beets complement traditional pot roast and poultry dishes, while fresh herbs and spices enhance many Passover recipes.
Easter
Easter is an important Christian holiday celebrating the resurrection described in the New Testament. In 2026, Easter falls on Sunday, April 5, following Good Friday on April 3. The holiday symbolizes hope, renewal, and new life and is commonly celebrated with church services, festive meals, egg decorating, and egg hunts.
In preparation, children dye hard-boiled eggs in bright colors while parents hide eggs filled with treats. Consider Melissa’s Clean Snax® as a fun, better-for-you option for filling plastic eggs. Plan your Easter menu around favorite entrées such as ham or lamb, accompanied by potatoes, fresh peas, herbs, and citrus garnishes. Colorful salads featuring Melissa’s Steamed Baby Beets and Steamed Artichokes make popular sides, while fresh fruit topped with whipped cream offers a simple, crowd-pleasing dessert. Preparing dishes ahead of time helps ensure you can relax and enjoy the celebration.
Earth Day
Earth Day is observed annually on April 22 and began in 1970 to raise awareness and support environmental protection. Events worldwide encourage sustainable practices and stewardship of our planet. Melissa’s is committed to sustainability, and you can learn more at Melissa’s sustainability page.
Small daily choices can make a difference. Consider using reusable straws and grocery bags, recycling regularly, conserving water by shortening showers and running full loads of laundry and dishes, monitoring outdoor sprinklers, and walking or carpooling when possible. Teaching children to respect the environment helps create a healthier future for generations to come.
National Soy Month
Soy continues to grow in popularity alongside plant-based eating trends, making vegetarian and vegan lifestyles more accessible than ever. Once found primarily in specialty health food stores, soy products are now widely available in mainstream supermarkets and even quick-service restaurants.
Native to Asia and consumed for over 5,000 years, soy was introduced to the United States in the 1800s, with cultivation expanding during World War II. Today, soy remains an excellent plant-based protein source.
Melissa’s offers a full line of soy products, including tofu varieties, shelled and in-shell edamame, soy taco, and soyrizo. During National Soy Month, explore new soy-based recipes and discover how easily these versatile ingredients can be incorporated into everyday meals. A visit to your local retailer may reveal just how many innovative soy products are now available, helping you take another step towards a healthier lifestyle.
