With the arrival of summer we can expect warmer days and extended hours of sunlight. This weather is to thank for providing a wide variety of seasonal produce that is at its peak freshness and highest quality. Of the many fruits and vegetables that are available in the summer, berries are some of the most popular and enjoyed fruits of the year. Raspberries, blackberries, blueberries and strawberries are not only delicious but also tout nutritional benefits as well. These berries are sources of vitamin C, which is an antioxidant that may protect against heart disease and certain cancers as well as protects skin, aids in immune function, and helps the body absorb iron. Eating whole fruit also provides fiber which can help control cholesterol and promote satiety, the feeling of fullness when eating.
Get your fill of these fruits by adding berries into your day-to-day by topping your favorite breakfast cereal or yogurt with fresh strawberries or blueberries. Try adding blackberries or raspberries in a mixed greens salad or to compliment a main entrée like pork tenderloin. Of course, these sweet fruits are wonderful for desserts too. Whether simply topped with whipped cream or featured in something ornate like a fresh fruit tarte or a berry trifle – there are so many ways to enjoy berries this summer!
If you’re looking for seasonal and inspired creations for your next event or corporate meeting, contact Butler’s Pantry or Butler’s Boardroom today! Our drop-off service, Butler’s Boardroom, offers a cold lunch buffet with a seasonal fruit salad and a fresh fruit kabob served with raspberry yogurt dipping sauce on our snack menu. These light and refreshing items can help brighten up any office meeting or event. Our full-service menus also provide a variety of items that highlight these seasonal fruits of the summer. Hosting a dinner party? Consider the raspberry teriyaki pork loin or pan-seared medallions of pork tenderloin with a blackberry zinfandel sauce or indulge in a fresh berry stack – layers of lemon pound cake, fresh berries, sweet cream, strawberry sauce and fresh mint. Ask our sales team about having a “hydration station” at your next event and enjoy berry and other fruit infused waters, teas, and spritzers. Give us a call today to learn what other seasonal offerings we can bring to your table this summer!
Written by our in-house registered & licensed dietitian, Claire Domian
Claire Domian is a Registered and Licensed Dietitian in the state of Missouri. She is a St. Louis native that received her B.S. in Dietetics from Fontbonne University. Claire’s interests are in culinary nutrition, cultural foods, and food writing. Her philosophy is that food does more than nourish and feed us, but that it brings people together to create shared experiences.
Photography credit: Lauren Helmer
Hydration Station design: Butler’s Pantry Design Studio for photo shoot featured in The Scout Guide