Hi fellow insider!

I’m coming to you from South Florida this week. I was over the rainy and cold days in Charlotte and needed a change of scenery. Plus, it’s always nice to go home and visit family.

While spending time here in South Florida, I got to visit a mango farm in Delray Beach called, The Mango Place (aka Truly Tropical Farm). It was my first time visiting a local fruit farm so I wasn’t sure what to expect.

I left with enough time to get there before they opened but ended up getting there 15 minutes after. And OMG… The line was long!

By the time I got to the table, just about all the variety of mangoes were gone. I was only able to get my hands on the Lemon Meringue, one of the Carrie mangos, and one of the Pram Kai Mea along with some sapodillas and a fresh green coconut.

I knew there were over 200 species of mangoes but never really thought about how many different names they have. It’s crazy! But if you love mangoes like I do, it is MANGO HEAVEN!!! 😍

I also knew there was a difference between store bought fruit and locally grown fruit but I never really tasted it. And let me tell you… It’s a total game changer!!

This experience reminded me how disconnected many of us have become from real food. So today, I’m sharing what you may not know about store-bought fruit vs. locally grown fruit—and why it matters more than you think.

Let’s talk about it…

DEEP DIVE

Let’s start with the basics: Most of the fruit you find in grocery stores is picked before it's ripe. Why? Because it needs to travel—sometimes thousands of miles—to reach store shelves. During that time, it’s gassed with ethylene to “ripen,” refrigerated, and handled repeatedly, which compromises both flavor and nutrition.

Here’s what happens to fruit that’s been sitting in cold storage and shipped long distances:

The mangoes I picked up in Delray Beach were proof of this. When you buy local:

✅ Fruit is picked at peak ripeness, which means more flavor, more nutrients, and better digestion
✅ You support local produce farmers and more sustainable agricultural practices
✅ Fewer emissions + less packaging waste, reducing your environmental impact
✅ You reconnect with the seasons, honoring what’s fresh and meant to be eaten right now
✅ It’s more nutrient-dense, filled with enzymes, antioxidants, and life force energy

Even if you're not in Florida, you’d be surprised at how many fruit farms and local growers might be in your area.

🍓 Search LocalHarvest.org or EatWild.com for farms in your area
🥬 Check Facebook or Instagram for small farms selling seasonally in your city
🚜 Visit weekend farmers markets and ask vendors where their produce is grown
📍 Use Google Maps and search for “U-Pick farms” or “fruit farms near me”
🌾 Ask around! Your local co-op, health food store, or wellness community may have insider tips

Don’t have access to fresh-picked produce? No worries—here are some tricks to still get better quality fruit:

✅ Buy organic whenever possible, especially for the “Dirty Dozen”
✅ Look for in-season fruit—it’ll taste better and be more affordable
✅ Smell it! Ripe fruit should have a fragrant, sweet aroma
✅ Gently press near the stem—it should give slightly, not be rock hard
✅ Avoid waxed fruit and opt for varieties that still look a little imperfect—those are often more real!
✅ Stock up on organic frozen fruit. It’s usually picked and frozen at peak ripeness, locking in nutrients and flavor. Perfect for smoothies, snacks, and even desserts.

I go even deeper into this topic in today’s YouTube video, “Stop Buying Store-Bought Fruit without Knowing THIS...”

🍊 Watch it here👇🏻

If you’re serious about improving your health naturally and feeling more energized from the inside out, you’ll want to tune in. Hit that subscribe button, and come hang out with me weekly as I dive into a predominantly raw, plant-based vegan living, holistic health, raw food, and more. 🌿💚

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