Van-Whole Produce

In Canada, squash is loosely grouped into summer squash and winter squash. Summer squash, such as summer crookneck, vegetable marrow, zucchini, and patty pan, is harvested when the fruit is immature during the growing season. The skin of summer squash is normally soft, and the size of the fruit is comparably small. Winter squash, such as butternut squash, acorn, spaghetti squash and pumpkin, is harvested when the fruit is mature, usually at the end of summer. The skin of winter squash is hard and the fruit is comparably bigger in size. Squash usually has sweet and nutty flesh, and numerous edible seeds in the center of the fruit.

Nutritional Facts

Squash is an excellent source of beta carotene and potassium and a source of Vitamin C and folacin. One half cup of cooked summer squash contains 16 calories, 1 gram of protein, 3 grams of carbohydrates, some vitamin A and C, and some fibre. Pumpkin seeds are rich in protein and a good source of iron.

There are over 5,000 apple varieties in the world. China, United States, and Iran are the three top apple growing countries; Canada is also one of the top apple growing countries in the world. There are about 50 varieties of apples that are locally grown in Canada, such as, Spartan, Red Delicious, Mcintosh, Ambrosia, Golden Delicious, Golden Russett, Paula Red, Fuji, etc. Each variety has its own taste, texture and appearance. In British Columbia, apples are available year around because they are stored in Controlled Atmosphere (CA) rooms after they are picked from the trees. This process helps to control the breakdown and ripening of fruit.

Nutritional Facts

“An Apple a day keeps the doctor away”
Apples are very low in saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium; and are a rich source of antioxidant compounds, dietary fiber and Vitamin C. Therefore, apples may help to reduce risk of heart disease, high cholesterol, colon cancer, and lung cancer.

Topsweet mandarin oranges are imported from selective growers that produce oranges meeting out stringent requirements for taste, sweetness and appearance. Every mandarin orange that meets the Topsweet standard is hand-picked, washed and hand wrapped in tissue. They are prepacked in 5lbs environmentally friendly boxes before delivering to our customers. The Mandarin orange season runs from September to January.

As a part of our commitment to giving back to the community, every box of Topsweet mandarin oranges purchased at retail, a portion of the proceeds goes towards the Canadian Cancer Society for Cancer Prevention initiatives. The Topsweet brand is available in select stores in your province. Please contact us for your nearest retailer at info@topsweetmandarins.ca