September Happenings

BACK-TO-SCHOOL
Fall usually signifies the end of summer or back-to-school season. 2022 is still a crazy year for students. Most schools are back to normal, but some still have Covid regulations offering home or in-person school. Teachers are getting lessons in place for those who may be returning to their classrooms while putting social distancing rules in place. Face masks, six-feet apart, and partitioning is becoming the new norm. Most kids get ready for school with a special class supply list, a backpack and some new clothes to start their new school year. 

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, Banana and Cacao, Matcha, Hatch Pepper and Holiday Spice! All delicious!

Edamame is gaining popularity as a lunchbox favorite. We offer them in the shell or out of the shell—both are 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!

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 him win votes — even though that did not happen and he was not re-elected. Yet, we do still celebrate this day today.

Labor Day is a nationwide holiday; generally, there is no school, and banks and post offices are closed! This year, Labor Day is Monday, September 5th. With Covid protocols still top-of-mind, family get-togethers may or may not take place, but that doesn’t mean you cannot enjoy the day at home with your immediate family. Fall is very near, and, in some areas, the weather is already turning. If you are lucky enough to have barbecuing weather, be sure to try some of our favorite grilling items. Fresh peppers, fresh fruit and fresh vegetables make wonderful grilling items to enhance your family barbecue.

FIRST DAY OF FALL
September 22nd, 2022 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. Some of the most popular fall vegetables are Melissa’s Pearl Onions and Winter Squash.

Cold weather cooking ingredients like our Steamed Lentils or Steamed Six Bean Medley 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 typically takes. Be sure to check out some of our favorite fall recipes for soups and stews.

JEWISH HIGH HOLY DAYS
The Jewish High Holy Days are observed during the ten days 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 purely religious holidays, as they are not related to any historical or natural event.

Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is celebrated during Tishri's first and second days. This year, it begins September 25th at sundown and concludes September 27th 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 ten 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. Still, 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 ask 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.

See our Rosh Hashanah Essentials.

High Holy Day Fruits and Vegetables
Most of the foods eaten during Rosh Hashanah 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!