Spring is finally making an appearance in Chicago! With warm weather comes farmers market season and last week was opening day of The Farmers Market at Daley Plaza.
I made plans to head down during lunch, but early that morning it poured rain non-stop. By early afternoon the sun came out providing the perfect opportunity to get outside for a few hours before it was time to pick up the girls from school.
I was also really looking forward to sampling Welch’s newest line – Farmer’s Pick.
It didn’t take long to find their booth – all you had to do was follow the crowd and of course the juice!
Farmer’s Pick by Welch’s is a new line of 100% juices that contain nothing artificial – no high fructose corn syrup, no preservatives – available in Concord grape, Mango and Blackberry flavors delivering an authentic fruit taste. What’s the difference??
Unlike most 100% fruit juices, Welch’s new line contains unfiltered juice which delivers body, aroma and flavor tasting as if you were picking a grape, blackberry or mango fresh. Farmer’s Pick comes by way of listening to consumers who were asking for juice with no artificial ingredients or preservatives.
In addition to using unfiltered juice, Welch’s uses cold kettle batching to maintain the flavor and help preserve the delicate flavor and aroma of the fruits.
The collection includes Farmer’s Pick Fruit Spreads available in Concord Grape, Strawberry and Raspberry with no high fructose corn syrup, preservatives, artificial flavors or colors. Both the juice and spreads can be used for cooking and smoothies too. I picked up several recipe cards at the market and can’t wait to try making this one for the girls as a snack or for breakfast.
Banana Mango Smoothie
- 1 cup Farmer’s Pick Juice Mango
- 1/2 ripe mango or frozen
- 1/2 ripe banana
- 1 cup Greek Yogurt
- 1 cup ice cubes
Directions: Combine all ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth. Makes two serves.
How is Farmer’s Pick Different?
- Made with unfiltered juice, which provides body, aroma and flavor.
- Have no preservatives, and no artificial flavors, synthetic colors or ingredients.
- Like all Welch’s 100% Juices, contain no added sugar. They’re 100% juice!
- Deliver one serving (1/2 cup) of fruit in every 4-oz. glass. (4 oz is a serving size for kids)
- Help families enjoy the taste of fresh-picked fruit all year.
Did you know that Welch’s is a family farmer owned cooperative? Owned by 1,000 family farmers across America and in Ontario, Canada, who make up this cooperative, all grow the Concord and Niagara grapes used in Welch’s juices and grape -based products.
Are you aware that Welch’s Farmer’s Pick ‘Natural’ Spreads are made with transgenenic/GMO ingredients? I wouldn’t feel safe feeding this to my children.
No I wasn’t but thank you for letting me know. Will do some more research on this.
GAL – I’ve been fighting genetic engineering crops for years. Welch’s makes no claims that the products are organic, and they could use the word “organic” in their advertising, but they don’t. Their website stipulates that the juices are not from gmo grapes, but other products are gmos. I give them credit for full disclosure. I wonder what else you are feeding your family that contains, for example, any soy products. We’re inundated with unfermented soy and its not good for us. I’m not castigating you, but unless we are growing and preserving our own food, or buying 100% certified organic…I guess we either consume some of this stuff, or not eat any of it. Without question, the taste of the Welch’s Farmers Pick Raspberry Spread, is outstanding, and I can’t find any in any of the stores Welch’s has suggested. That’s probably why my comment sounds so cranky.
Hi there Jane – we usually avoid soy products but we do eat organic edamame. I get where you are coming from and do my best to feed my family organic as much as possible. Thanks for commenting and stopping by!