Labor Day and the Jewish High Holidays
Labor Day weekend is more than just a long weekend. It’s the unofficial farewell to summer and the perfect opportunity to gather with family and friends, enjoy the outdoors, and savor the season’s freshest flavors before fall arrives. Whether you're planning a backyard barbecue, a picnic at the park, or a relaxed dinner under the stars, fresh produce can transform any gathering into a memorable celebration. This year, Labor Day falls on September 7th.
Late summer brings an abundance of delicious fruits and vegetables, making it easy to create a menu that is both festive and easy. Sweet melons, flavorful Hatch Peppers, juicy grapes, and fresh new-crop potatoes are all at their seasonal best. Fire up the grill and roast Hatch Peppers for stuffing, slicing into tacos, or blending into salsas and dips.
Add color to your table with a fresh fruit platter featuring starfruit, golden lychees, Muscato™ Grapes, and seasonal melons. For a hearty side dish, roast Melissa’s Baby Dutch Yellow® Potatoes with fresh herbs or toss them into a warm potato salad finished with a bright citrus vinaigrette.
No Labor Day gathering is complete without refreshing beverages and easy make-ahead dishes. Assemble skewers of fresh vegetables and Honeyglow® Pineapple for the grill, prepare a crisp melon and cucumber salad, or blend a pitcher of pineapple agua fresca for a cool drink. Melissa’s ready-to-use products, including Steamed Baby Beets, Cooked Quinoa, and Polenta, make it easy to create flavorful sides while spending less time in the kitchen and more time with your guests.
As summer winds down, take advantage of the season’s best produce while it lasts. September is also peak Hatch Pepper season, making it the perfect time to enjoy these iconic New Mexico chiles in everything from burgers and sandwiches to mac and cheese, dips, and breakfast dishes. Their distinctive flavor adds a memorable touch to any Labor Day menu.
Labor Day is a celebration of family and friends, and the simple pleasures of sharing good food. Soak up the sunshine, enjoy the final days of summer, and let Melissa’s inspire your holiday menu with fresh fruits, vegetables, and specialty products that bring color, flavor, and fun to every gathering.
Here's to a delicious Labor Day and a memorable end to summer! 
Jewish High Holy Days
The Jewish High Holy Days are observed during the 10 days between the first day (Rosh Hashanah) and the 10th day (Yom Kippur) of Tishri, the seventh month of the Jewish calendar. The Jewish Year is 5787. This year they both fall in September.
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 begins at sundown on September 11th and ends at sundown on September 13th.
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 20th at sundown and concludes on September 21st 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 who have repented for their sins are granted a good and happy New Year.
High Holy Day Fruits and Vegetables
Most of the 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.
Other items used in preparing traditional Rosh Hashanah dishes include: Squash, Yams, Bell Peppers, Tomatoes, Nuts, Grapes, Plums, Lemons, Cucumbers, Potatoes, Herbs, Pineapples, and Apricots.
Some convenient holiday essentials in ready-to-go packages include our Beets, Leeks, 
Fall Is Here: Seasonal Flavors, Fresh Inspiration
Cooler days, crisp evenings, and colorful foliage can only mean one thing: fall has arrived! It's the season of comfort cooking, when warm spices, hearty vegetables, and cozy family meals take center stage. From sweet winter squash and crisp apples to earthy root vegetables and hearty potatoes, fall offers an abundance of fresh flavors to inspire every meal.
As the seasons change, it's the perfect time to refresh your menu with autumn favorites. Roast Melissa's Butternut, Kabocha, or Delicata Squash for velvety soups and satisfying side dishes, or stuff Acorn Squash with grains, herbs, and vegetables for an impressive seasonal entrée. Bake a warm apple crisp using Honeycrisp or Pink Lady® Apples, or roast Melissa's Baby Dutch Yellow® Potatoes and rainbow carrots alongside chicken, salmon, or your favorite plant-based protein for an easy weeknight dinner. Add a sprinkle of Melissa's Hatch Pepper Powder to soups, stews, casseroles, roasted vegetables, and chili for a subtle Southwestern kick.
Simple seasonal meals can be just as memorable. Toss roasted Delicata Squash and pomegranate arils into a fresh salad, prepare a comforting pot of pumpkin or sweet potato soup, or roast a colorful medley of root vegetables with olive oil, herbs, and Melissa's seasonings. These easy dishes capture the rich flavors of fall while making the most of the season's harvest.
Fall is also a wonderful reminder to slow down and gather around the table. Whether you're preparing a cozy dinner at home or entertaining family and friends, Melissa's fresh fruits, vegetables, and specialty products make it easy to create wholesome, flavorful meals that celebrate everything we love about the season.
Savor the Last Days of Summer and Get Ready for Back-to-School
The close of summer is always bittersweet. While vacations and long sunny days begin to wind down, a new season brings fresh routines, cooler weather, and exciting new beginnings. It's the perfect time to enjoy the final tastes of summer while preparing for busy back-to-school schedules.
Late summer delivers some of the year's most colorful produce. Sweet grapes, crisp apples, juicy starfruit, and refreshing new-crop melons make nutritious lunchbox additions and satisfying after-school snacks. Melissa's Hatch Pepper Powder adds bold flavor to quick weeknight favorites like tacos, quesadillas, grain bowls, roasted vegetables, and homemade dressings. Melissa's Baby Dutch Yellow® Potatoes are another family favorite, roasting quickly and pairing beautifully with almost any meal.
Busy schedules are easier to manage with a little preparation. Create grab-and-go fruit and vegetable snack packs, prepare quinoa or pasta salads for easy lunches, or make a batch of sweet potato pancakes for quick breakfasts throughout the week. Keeping fresh, seasonal ingredients on hand makes healthy meals both convenient and delicious.
As summer transitions into fall, celebrate the best of both seasons. Enjoy those final warm evenings outdoors with colorful seasonal dishes while embracing the comforting flavors of autumn. With Melissa's fresh produce and pantry essentials, it's easy to keep every meal fresh, flavorful, and full of seasonal inspiration.
