Is it August already? Summer is flying by far too quickly. This month’s produce guide marks a full year’s worth of seasonal produce.

Grocery shopping is already a pretty time consuming task, but not knowing what to buy when you get there can be overwhelming and pricey. However, purchasing seasonal foods is a healthy and cost effective way to approach food shopping, especially during the summer months. Grocery stores tend to stock up on these items in bulk because they are plentiful, making them less expensive for you—especially when they go on sale. These Summer fruits and vegetables should be on your grocery list—making your weekly trip to the store easier on you and your wallet, while eating healthy on a budget.

Seasonal Fruits and Vegetables for August:

And this month, we are featuring the Avocado!

Avocado on toast is almost impossible to beat, but it’s also a fantastic addition Mexican meals and fresh green recipes of any kind, really. The avocados you’ll find in stores now are probably from Mexico, where avocados are in season year-round, but California avocados are in season now, too.

Nutrition wise, as a super food, avocados provide nearly 20 essential nutrients, including a good source of fiber and folate, potassium, Vitamin E, B-vitamins, and folic acid.

They also act as a “nutrient booster” by enabling the body to absorb more fat-soluble nutrients, such as alpha and beta-carotene and lutein, in foods that are eaten with the fruit.

You can find detailed avocado nutrition information listed in the Nutrients Section at California Avocado, and the site includes all of the vitamins and minerals found in avocado.

Happy Hearts and Happy Eating!