As summer fades away, we are ready to welcome fall and a new school year full of promise, memories and smiles. The start of school can mean a lot of things for different families and let’s be honest, life gets busy! One way to stay organized and energized, as you and your family find your new routine, is to nourish your body with healthy foods. The thought of eating healthy can be intimidating, but we’ve chosen 5 of our favorite Great Country Farms Farm Market snacks to feature this Market Monday to help you feel confident in fueling your family as you take on new beginnings. Happy back to school!
Apples
One of the great things about the change in seasons is the new harvest. At the Great Country Farms, we expect to have a bounty of pick your own apples available to our guests. Not only are they healthy, but apples are great to use in so many different ways. Slice them, bake them, mash them, they are a go-to staple in our farm family kitchen! Add an extra protein boost by pairing with OmMade Peanut Butter from the Farm Market, create your own apple sauce and use these *reusable pouches* to make it easy to grab on the go! Get the kids excited by bringing them to pick their own apples at the farm, beginning with Honeycrisp apples, August 28th! You can learn more about our Apple Gala and pick your own apples at Great Country Farms and buy tickets here!
Fresh Veggies or Salad
The sayings go way back in time, but tried and true, veggies are an awesome snack choice. It is a proven fact that people are more likely to choose a healthy snack when it is already prepared and easy to grab. It can be tempting to go for that bag of Fritos if you’re feeling “hangry” and you know that you have to chop, bake and season the healthier option. Set yourself up for success by spending an hour or two preparing veggies for easy access for you and your family. Stock up at your favorite local farm markets and make Sunday meal prep night.
Nuts or Granola
In our Farm Market, we carry a variety of nuts and granola options. High in protein, these are an easy grab and go option for the whole family! Choose from a variety of flavors and add to your favorite to yogurt, trail mix, or just enjoy them as they come! We are proud to sell Michele’s Granola in our market. It is handmade in Maryland, all natural, and comes in a lot of fun flavors! Check out the Michele’s Granola website to read their incredible story.
Jerky
Full of protein, vitamins and minerals, jerky is another great option for your active lifestyle. Although not all jerky is made equally, we can assure you that the brands found in our market are top notch and equally delicious without the extra add-ins. We also offer beef sticks, a great grab and go protein snack that are from our local neighbors at Audley Farm. Grab from the pantry and store these in your backpack, purse, diaper bag or briefcase for perfect on the go convenience.
Crackers
In our market, we carry a variety of different crackers. We love this option because it can be made difference in so many easy ways. We recommend pairing with Upperville’s local Village Cheese Works cheese, one of our many jellies, butters, or preserves or OmMade Peanut Butter all available in the Great Country Farms Market.. Check out this blog we found with cracker inspiration to enhance your snacks and keep them interesting and fun for everyone to enjoy!
We wish you and your family a happy year of learning, adventure and fun! We look forward to seeing you out on the farm. For information on our upcoming events, visit our GreatCountryFarms.com. Don’t forget to sign up for our latest U-pick alerts here to stay in touch!