Fun, Food and Fireworks! 

The most celebrated holiday of the summer is Independence Day or the 4^th of July.  Independence Day in the United States is an annual holiday commemorating the formal adoption by the Continental Congress of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia, PA. On June 11, 1776, the colonies’ Second Continental Congress, meeting in Philadelphia, formed a committee to draft a document that would formally sever their ties with Great Britain. John Hancock was the president of the Second Continental Congress and was the first to sign the Declaration, with his flourished lettering taking over the document. (Hence, the saying when someone asks you for your “John Hancock,” they are asking for your signature!) The custom of celebrating eventually spread to other towns, both large and small, where the day was marked with processions, picnics, contests, games, military displays and fireworks. The final version was officially adopted by Congress on July 4, 1941, when it was declared a legal holiday.  

This year, the 4^th of July will be celebrated in a GRAND way…. Probably the first real celebration since the beginning of COVID.  Back to the traditional celebrations with parades, pageants, firework displays and even watermelon eating contests! Many new COVID restrictions, but all in all, it should be pretty close to normal! Fireworks are illegal in some places, making public fireworks displays very popular.

Most likely, everyone will safely be enjoying picnics and parties…all filled with various foods and drinks. This is the perfect time to enjoy barbecue and picnic items like baby potatoes for perfect quick potato salad and Melissa’s Red, White and Blue potato medley. Don’t forget the fresh fruit to lace onto the kabobs for another delicious treat. 

Lots of snacking will be going on! Our CLEAN SNAX^® are available in a variety of flavors and are perfect for everyone. Gluten free by ingredient and packed with healthy ingredients, you can be sure snackers will come back for more! 

For many, July 4^th kicks off the grilling season. Items like organic stone fruit and portobello mushroom sandwiches are easy and trendy. Did you know the best way to preserve the nutrients in fresh mushrooms is to grill them? Try preparing vegetable skewers made with fresh mushrooms, organic bell peppers, organic potatoes and organic zucchini. Grilled fruit, such as organic peaches and nectarines, also make a delicious side dish or dessert. Just slice in half and place cut-side down on a lightly oiled grill… Another all-time favorite is grilled sweet potatoes or yams sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon. Delicious and even lower in fat than potato salad!

Try some fresh cucumbers, a great side salad item, along with fresh sugar snap peas, organic baby peeled carrots, roasted jalapeños, fresh edamame and baby Dutch Yellow® potatoes for potato salads. Don’t forget to enjoy yourself while eating fresh!