Kroger's fresh springtime guide offers inspiration for in-season eats

The Kroger Co. is sharing how customers can supercharge meals and snacks with fresh in-season fruits, veggies and simple recipes to try during National Nutrition Month and enjoy all season long.

"Preparing dishes with fresh, in-season produce presents limitless, simple options for families to enjoy together as spring and summer approaches," Carlo Baldan, group vice president of fresh merchandising for Kroger said in a news release. "With guaranteed quality, value and more days of freshness for our customers, we make it easy to create nutritious meals. Fresh is always in season at Kroger."

Kroger said customers can enjoy springtime with produce at its peak of freshness:

• Fruits — strawberries, apples, pineapple, kiwi and bananas.
• Vegetables — asparagus, celery, peas, avocados, broccoli, carrots, garlic, herbs, onions, radishes, turnips, mushrooms and rhubarb.
• Greens — lettuce, kale, spinach, collard greens, cabbage and Swiss chard.
• Citrus — lemons and limes.

Kroger said consumers can have fun in the kitchen and explore how fresh foods impact health and wellness during National Nutrition Month and beyond with recipes from the retailer's The Fresh Lane blog, including:

• Grilled Steak Strawberry Salad — This springtime meal features fresh in-season strawberries and lettuce. Strawberries are a heart-healthy nutrition powerhouse loaded with antioxidants, potassium and vitamin C. Lettuce is packed with fiber and a great way to support hydration. For a delicious swap, try spinach, high in folate, iron and magnesium.
• Baked Ziti with Mushrooms and Mozzarella — Mushrooms are the star of this vegetarian dish serving up benefits like immune system support, lots of vitamin D and a great source of protein. Nutrient-dense garlic brings in the flavor for this recipe, containing lots of potassium and amino acids.
• Green Pea Hummus — This fresh take on hummus boasts three in-season ingredients and with radishes and carrots on the side. Loaded with peas, an easy source of plant-based protein, this dip serves up another heart-healthy option containing fiber and magnesium. A splash of fresh lemon juice brightens the dish and adds vitamin C, an antioxidant credited with supporting healthy skin and even helping to prevent kidney stones. Serve with carrots for dipping that are rich in vitamin A that is essential for eye health.

Eating fresh, seasonal produce is an excellent way to incorporate healthy foods in your diet, said Kroger, which added that beyond the produce section, customers can easily find nutrition options by using the OptUP program and checking the FoodHealth Score of their favorite products. Kroger Plus loyalty customers canOptUP their nutrition further by unlocking one free 30-minute dietitian visit for customized product recommendations, meal hacks and delicious, budget-friendly meal planning inspiration to identify new ways to connect with food. These convenient virtual sessions fit customer schedules, providing connections with a registered dietitian from anywhere, the release said.

Many fresh foods, including fruits and vegetables, are eligible for purchase using food and over-the-counter benefit cards. Eligible individuals could include Medicare Advantage members, some Medicaid and some commercial payors. Recipients of these benefits may use food and OTC benefit cards in store for eligible groceries, over-the-counter medications and more, the release said.

Kroger said it is committed to making healthy choices available for everyone, providing value to customers along the way. For a complete list of available items, check individual health provider plans. If applicable, these benefit cards can be used alongside other supplemental benefits programs, the release said.

Customers can shop fresh ingredients and more in-store or through Kroger pickup and delivery, and they can save even more with Boost by Kroger Plus, the release said.