If you’ve ever been to one of our stores, you know premium produce is the hallmark of what we stand for—fresh, flavorful and the very highest quality with a special love for local. We partner with farmers, ranchers and producers in our area and receive produce deliveries 6–7 days a week to share a cornucopia of amazing fruits and veggies with our guests all year long, all while supporting the communities we call home.

Jose Torres, King of Chlorophyll (a.k.a. Director of Produce): For produce pros like Jose Torres, “farm to fork” isn’t just a trendy catchphrase—it’s a way of life! With a longstanding passion for fresh fruits and vegetables, Jose has been with our Nugget Markets family for 21 years, spending most of his time in our Produce department. Over the years, he’s grown an even greater appreciation for local agriculture, small farms and connecting people with their food.

Krysten Cholewinski, The Green Rider (a.k.a. Director of Produce & Floral Operations): Krysten began her Nugget Markets journey in 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Business. After exploring a variety of roles, she climbed through the ranks and eventually earned her current position supporting our Produce and Floral departments. Every single day, Krysten champions both talented teams with her unshakable passion, joy and enthusiasm. Today, we ride!

What makes Nugget Markets’ Produce Department special?
JT: The first thing you see in any of our stores is a rainbow of beautiful produce—it’s like a farmers’ market at your local grocery store! We pride ourselves on superior quality, great partnerships with our suppliers and farmers, and best of all, our knowledgeable associates who are always happy to help. If we don't offer one first, ask for a sample and discover your next favorite fruit or vegetable.

What’s in season now?
KC: We have a lot of fun items in season for the winter: squash, persimmons, pomegranates and citrus! I always look forward to citrus season with Buddha’s hands, pink lemons, Meyer lemons, finger limes, blood oranges and more. Some of these items have short windows of time when they are available, so be on the lookout for when they hit the stores!

What locally grown options can be found in stores this winter?
JT: We partner with many local farmers in our communities, including a few who farm mostly year-round. This season, we’ll see some beautiful greens and veggies form Full Belly Farm in Guinda, plus kiwifruit and persimmons from Wild River Fruit in Marysville and produce from a few smaller farmers like navel oranges from Sparks Ranch in Winters. Look for our Local and CA-Grown lifestyle icons to find all sorts of local gems!

Any insider tips for finding seasonal produce at Nugget Markets?
KC: Often times we feature our seasonal items on displays generally found on our porch or right when you walk in the door. Before heading to look for those everyday items on your list, be sure to stop and check out these displays for new items and what’s in season now. Another tip is to ask our amazing associates in produce who are full of knowledge and always willing to help you find an item or make recommendations on new things to try.

Are there any common misconceptions about produce?
JT: A lot of people think there is no value in buying organics because it can be more expensive. In reality, buying organically grown items supports farms (often local) and an industry that truly care about farming in the most natural way.

What are some ways to enjoy seasonal fruits and veggies?
KC: With most produce you can be really creative and have fun with the variety of produce out there. My favorite is citrus because it's so versatile. You see it in drinks, salads, main courses, standalone snacks and desserts. Pomegranates, squash and carrots also make great sides this time of year. For even more ideas, check out our extensive recipe collection!