2. The raspberry originated in Asia, Europe and North America. Growing season is in the summer and the fall. Raspberries are a very flexible fruit and are easy to grow at home; however they are very fragile. One berry is actually many tiny fruits that are held together by tiny hairs. It is recommended to use fresh raspberries quickly because that is when they have the most Vitamin C.

3. Raspberries are available all year long The growing season is summer and fall

4. http://umaine.edu/publications/2066e/ Full sunlight Well-drained, sandy loam soils rich in organic matter. Easy access to a water supply. Watering the plants frequently will improve fruit size and increase production. Don’t grow close to vegetables such as tomatoes, potatoes, peppers or eggplant because they contain a root rot Verticillium that can damage raspberries. Do not grow raspberries within 600 feet of wild raspberries or blackberries

5. Raspberries are ready for harvest when they can be easily pulled from the vine without being damaged They are bright red in color. Raspberries can be harvested from mid-summer until the first frost.

6. Make sure the berries are not packed too tightly. Berries packaged too tightly could become crushed or damaged. Fresh berries are packaged in clamshell containers Make sure that the container is not wet or stained when purchasing.

7. At your local grocery store At your local farmer’s market

8. Raspberries are highly perishable. They should be purchased in the store or market two days prior to use. Choose raspberries that are firm, plump and deep in color. You should avoid the berries that are mushy, or moldy

9. Right before eating wash the raspberries gently with a sprayer or with light water pressure. Do not keep them at room temperature for too long, keep in refrigerator until ready to use. Do not wash them until ready to eat so they are not wet for too long, damaging the berries.

10. Put in smoothies, topping for desserts like ice cream, pudding, pound cake Topping for a salad Put in breakfast items like muffins, pancakes, waffles, or yogurt Perishable-store in refrigerator Rinse with cool water before eating Freeze fresh berries if will not be eaten right away Frozen raspberries will keep their “superfood” benefits.

11. Grow your own at home Buy frozen Look for sales at your local market

13. Raspberries 1.00 cup 123.00 grams 60.28 calories NutrientAmount DV (%) Nutrient Density World's Healthiest Foods Rating manganese1.24 mg62.018.5excellent vitamin C30.76 mg51.315.3excellent dietary fiber8.34 g33.410.0excellent folate31.98 mcg8.02.4good vitamin B2 (riboflavin) 0.12 mg7.12.1good magnesium22.14 mg5.51.7good vitamin B3 (niacin) 1.10 mg5.51.6good potassium186.96 mg5.31.6good omega 3 fatty acids 0.12 g5.01.5good copper0.10 mg5.01.5good http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=39

14. Sources The George Mateljan Foundation. Raspberries. The George Mateljan Foundation. Web site. http://www.whfoods.com/. Accessed August 26, 2011. The George Mateljan Foundation. Eggplant. The George Mateljan Foundation. Web site. http://www.whfoods.com/. Accessed August 26, 2011. Reinhard, Tonia. Superfoods: The Healthiest Foods on the Planet. Firefly Books Ltd: 2010. Medline Plus. Vitamin D. Web site. www.nlm.nih.gov/. Accessed August 26, 2011.www.nlm.nih.gov/ Eating Well. “ Fresh and Nutritious”. October 2011.