Only On The Walters Post

In a way, yes, fruits and vegetables today are more processed than they used to be, even if they aren’t what we’d traditionally think of as “processed food” like chips or frozen meals. Here’s the thing: while the fruits and veggies you find at the grocery store might look fresh, they’ve likely gone through some level of processing before they even make it to your kitchen.

Most commercially grown produce is picked before it’s fully ripe to make sure it survives the long journey from farm to store without spoiling. This early harvesting affects the taste, texture, and even nutritional value of the produce. And then there’s the washing and sometimes waxing process to help preserve that “fresh” look for longer. You’ve got fruits and veggies that get coated in chemicals like wax or sometimes even preservatives, all to extend shelf life.

Now, let’s talk about the real processing… there’s the use of pesticides, fertilizers, and growth hormones to make crops grow faster and larger, and to keep pests away. While it gets the job done for farmers trying to feed a growing population, it’s not exactly the same as the kind of produce our ancestors grew in their gardens. Back then, you didn’t need pesticides if you were growing food with care, and you certainly didn’t need chemicals to extend the shelf life.

When it comes to fruits and veggies today, the big difference is the level of treatment they go through before they reach your plate. In some ways, you could say they’ve been processed, but it’s not the same as your pre-packaged, frozen meals or junk food. It’s more of an effort to make produce last longer on store shelves and reduce waste, but at what cost? The flavor, nutrition, and natural benefits are often compromised in the process.

So, are fruits and veggies today processed? In a modern sense, yes, but they’re not as heavily processed as some other foods. The key is knowing where your food comes from and how it’s grown. If you’re buying from local farms, you’ll often find that it’s fresher, less treated, and closer to the way it was meant to be.

Until the next time: Keep Your Minds Open & Your Stories Alive. GW