August 17 is National Pineapple Juice Day and an exciting time to celebrate the natural citrusy sweet taste of pineapple juice! Join us as we raise our glass to this tropical juice full of flavorful facts deserving of a celebration.
Pineapple juice is a tropical drink that delivers a refreshing boost of hydration and Vitamin C. With its beautiful bright flavors, one sip of pineapple juice instantly transports your taste buds to the tropics. Today, we join millions of people across the globe to hold a celebration and start their day differently on National Pineapple Juice Day.
Native to South America, pineapple arrived in Hawaii courtesy of the Spanish sometime in the 18th century. However, the truly juicy story of pineapple juice unfolds there with a man named James Dole playing a pivotal role.
In 1899, James Dole moved to Hawaii with $1,000, a Harvard degree in business and horticulture, and a love of farming. Dole began growing pineapples on his newly purchased 60-acre pineapple plantation and quickly realized he had a sweet opportunity to provide the juiciest pineapples to the world.
After his first harvest, Dole started shipping pineapples to people on the mainland in the United States. However, there seemed to be an issue of keeping the freshness of the pineapples. Dole wanted to make the sunshine and taste of Hawaiian pineapples available for everyone. As a result he developed a canning technique to preserve the delicious taste of the pineapple fruit and juice.
“On this National Pineapple Juice Day, we are thrilled to celebrate the unique and tantalizing pineapple juice that consumers have been loving for many years. Serving a revitalizing change of pace for consumers, Dole® 100% Pineapple Juice is a naturally sweet, refreshing choice for juice drinkers without needing added sugar. Plus, it’s packed with Vitamin C and other essential vitamins and minerals. So, over 90 years since Dole first put pineapple juice in cans, raise a glass of sunshine and cheers to the naturally delicious taste of pineapple juice!”
In 2023, Dole Packaged Foods, LLC and National Day Calendar began a collaboration to create National Pineapple Juice Day. During the entire month of May, Dole called for all pineapple juice lovers to sign a petition and take the charge to make National Pineapple Juice Day official. To sweeten the deal, Dole made a donation for each signature to Feeding America® (up to $5,000) to support programs to end hunger as part of the Dole Promise. National Calendar Day unanimously approved Dole Packaged Foods, LLC’s request to establish National Pineapple Juice Day to be celebrated annually on August 17.
About the Founder
Dole Packaged Foods, LLC, is a world leader in distributing, growing, marketing fruit and healthy snacks and sourcing in four core categories:
Beverage
Snacks
Frozen
Pantry
Dole Packaged Foods, LLC also sells a full line of packaged shelf stable fruit, frozen fruit, dried fruit and juices focusing on supporting four pillars of sustainability:
Water management
Carbon footprint
Soil conservation
Waste reduction
Visit dolesunshine.com to learn more information about Dole and their products.
Perfectly Pineapple
Pineapple juice is a versatile ingredient in the culinary world. With plenty of ways to use it, pineapple juice adds sweetness, slight acidity and a savory balance to any recipe.
Sipped Solo – As an excellent source of Vitamin C, pineapple juice is a great choice for a morning beverage.
Marinade – Pineapple juice is great for tenderizing poultry, especially on chicken and pork. In fact, it also creates a delicious glaze for grilled food, too.
Vinaigrette – Pineapple juice mixed with honey, olive oil, and lime or lemon juice adds delicious elements to any vinaigrette salad dressing.
Baking – Substituting pineapple juice for water adds moisture and an additional touch of sweetness to cake and quick breads. You can also use pineapple juice to add a touch of the tropics to frostings.
Cocktails – Pineapple juice also adds a fresh, citrus, and sweet flavor to several tropical-flavored cocktails, including Piña Coladas and blended pineapple margaritas.
National Pineapple Juice Day brings about many ways to celebrate. From learning about the history to savor the early beginnings to implementing it into your daily diet, pineapple juice deserves a time to shine. Show us how you celebrate National Pineapple Juice Day by sharing your photos or pineapple juice recipes on social media using #NationalPineappleJuiceDay and #NationalPJDay.
July 12 easily directs us what to do on Eat Your Jello Day! With plenty of flavors to choose from, you should have no problem finding one you like.
Trademarked in 1897 by Pearle Wait of Leroy, New York, Jell-O is the novel and fun dessert loved by millions. Francis Woodward, who later purchased the recipe and trademark, eventually made Jell-O a household name. With 21 different flavors, Jell-O satisfies every taste and can be enjoyed in numerous combinations.
Jell-O’s primary ingredient is gelatin. Gelatin consists of collagen, specifically animal collagen. It’s a protein extracted from the connective tissues of cows and pigs. Once the protein is broken down and extracted, the collagen is dried and ground into a fine powder.
Jell-O has been the subject of many classroom art and science projects throughout the years. From the study of viscosity and laser beams to gelatin artwork, Jell-O inspires in and outside the kitchen.
Eat Your Jell-O Day specifically tells us to eat. So, whether it is molded, layered, or mixed with fruit, vegetables, or marshmallows, be sure to have some. It’s delicious as a salad, dessert, or even a shot. Jell-O doesn’t break the budget either, nor does it add too many calories. Where can you go wrong?
HOW TO OBSERVE EAT YOUR JELL-O DAY
Give Jell-O recipes a try. Use #EatYourJelloDay to post on social media.
In the sweltering heat of July, which is also National Watermelon Month, nothing tastes as great as a big cold bowl of watermelon. It has a unique taste and scent that refreshes you from the inside out. Consisting of 92% water, eating a watermelon hydrates you thoroughly. It also helps restore essential electrolytes in your body. During the heat of July, it is believed to be one way to relieve the pain of muscle cramps. Many cultures boil and cook the rind to make scrumptious savory salads and dishes.
5 FACTS ABOUT WATERMELON THAT WILL BLOW YOUR MIND
Watermelons are considered a fruit and vegetableWhile it is true that watermelons are created using the pollination method that all fruits go through, many gardeners also consider watermelons as vegetables because they are part of the botanical family of gourds.
Watermelons have 1,200 varietiesWatermelons come in over 1,200 varieties, and each is divided into four categories: seeded, seedless, yellow/orange, and icebox.
The heaviest watermelonChris Kent of Tennessee holds the world record for growing the heaviest watermelon, which weighed around 350.5 pounds.
Seedless watermelons are naturalContrary to popular belief, seedless watermelons occur naturally due to years of evolution.
Watermelon is actually a berryThe watermelon is actually a type of berry called pepo, and this variety has a harder outer rind with a softer inner flesh.
HISTORY OF NATIONAL WATERMELON MONTH
National Watermelon Month came into existence in 2007 when a resolution was submitted by the senate to the U.S. Congress. The resolution was accepted, and July was designated as the official Watermelon Month. The aim was to raise production and sales of the fruit all over the country. Today, watermelon is a crucial agricultural sector in America as it is produced in 49 states, and is sold and consumed in 50 states. According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, in 2006 alone, the U.S. produced a whopping 4,200,000,000 pounds of watermelon! Now, that is a lot of watermelons. The National Watermelon Association, which is a membership trade, is another organization that is dedicated to creating positive changes and growth in the industry. It has chapters all over America and Canada.
Given its track record on sales and production, we know that watermelon is extremely popular among the masses, but did you know that it has gone through extreme evolution to come to the stage it is in today? That’s right, earlier records show that watermelons from the ancient era were not as fleshy or as red as the watermelons today. It was through seasoned farmers’ efforts that watermelons started changing.
If we were to start at a particular point, the earliest records show that watermelon may have originated in ancient Egypt in 2000 B.C. In fact, some watermelon seeds were also found in King Tut’s tomb. Eventually, watermelon found its way to the Middle East and the rest of Asia. Trading routes and growing civilizations and globalization led to watermelon being taken to China and India during the 7th century. It would take another 10 centuries for watermelon to reach North-, South-, and Central America. The watermelon fruit has had quite a journey all over the planet.
Enjoy a cold watermelonThe month of July has its fair share of festivities including the Fourth of July. This means that you may be spending long hours of your day outdoors in the heat. But don’t worry, as you can cool down by enjoying a bowl of fresh watermelon.
Try a watermelon steak. July also happens to be the month of grilling. If you are looking to up your grilling food game, you can find a watermelon steak recipe and prepare it on the grill. If you are not a fan of grilling, you can always cook the watermelon on your stove or bake it in the oven.
Have a seed spitting contest. Watermelons have some of the most distinct seeds of all fruits. You can organize a seed-spitting contest with your friends and family, and see who is the best at this specialized skill.
WHY WE LOVE NATIONAL WATERMELON MONTH
It’s a celebration of watermelonsWatermelons are a great source of food. They are hydrating and help to get rid of muscle cramps. Moreover, they have no fat or cholesterol, are high in fiber, and are packed with vitamin C. It is an all-rounder.
It’s a celebration of freshnessIn the muggy and humid weather of July, people are on the constant lookout for things to cool themselves off with, and watermelon can help you with just that. Whether you choose to have it cubed with other summer fruits or juice it, it doesn’t matter because you will be getting a dose of much-needed refreshment.
It’s a celebration of summerWe wouldn’t have been able to appreciate the goodness of watermelon without summer. This season may have us rushing towards shade, but it also gives us the amazing fruit that is watermelon.
Share your pictures and recipes on social media with #NationalWatermelonMonth.
National Fresh Celery Month in April provides an opportunity to experiment with recipes and challenge the way we use the vegetable in our cooking
Take celery beyond peanut butter sticks and cocktails. When combined with the right ingredients, celery can be a stunning addition to a dish. The beauty of celery is it adds a punch of crunch, a hint of vibrant color and subtle flavor without being overpowering.
While we may like filling the celery’s convenient groove with peanut butter, there are other excellent fillers. Try seasoned cream cheese, chicken salad or hummus.
Sliced celery dressed with light vinaigrette and grapes and walnuts make an excellent small salad. Don’t forget the celery leaves. Toss them into your salads, too! For another salad spin, try goat cheese and chives with red onion.
There’s a reason peanut butter and celery go together. It’s not just an afternoon snack. Celery compliments many soups and does only have to go into a vegetable medley. Yes, peanut butter is another way to soup it up.
When it comes to the main dish, celery compliments nearly any protein and that includes non-animal proteins. Whether you’re cooking with chicken, beef or beans, celery will boost texture and flavor. Try a new recipe every week during National Fresh Celery Month, and discover how celery can benefit your cooking.
On March 26th each year, National Spinach Day reminds us of the health benefits packed into this leafy green vegetable. Not only are there so many delicious ways that you can enjoy spinach, but it is also incredibly good for you!
An annual plant, spinach grows natively in central and southwestern Asia. Thought to have originated in ancient Persia, Arab traders carried spinach into India and then later introduced into ancient China. There it was known as “Persian vegetable.” The earliest available record of the spinach plant was found in Chinese, saying that the spinach plant was introduced into China via Nepal.
During her reign as queen of France, Catherine de Medici enjoyed spinach so much, it was served at every meal. To this day, dishes made with spinach are known as “Florentine” reflecting Catherine’s birth in Florence.
Spinach is:
eaten raw or cooked and is available fresh, frozen or canned.
one of the best sources of iron.
an excellent source of calcium, folic acid, fiber, protein, calcium and vitamins A, C and K.
loaded with cancer-fighting antioxidants
believed to help improve cardiovascular and gastrointestinal health.
Types of spinach:
Savoy: dark green color with curly leaves; usually sold in fresh bunches. Flat or Smooth Leaf: broad, smooth leaves; mostly grown for canned and frozen spinach as well as soups, baby food and processed foods. Semi-savoy: a hybrid variety with crinkly leaves: is sold fresh and processed.
Following China, the United States produces the world’s second-largest crop of spinach.
California, Arizona, and New Jersey are the top spinach-producing states in the United States.
HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalSpinachDay
Many of us enjoy spinach that celebrating is easy! Shake up your vegetable routine and mix up your greens. Experiment with some spinach.
Fresh spinach salad
Spinach pizza
Spinach dip
Cream spinach
Spinach lasagna
Add spinach to scrambled eggs
You can also plant some spinach in your spring garden. Not only will you reap the benefits of a lush green salad, but spinach doesn’t require much space.
Spinach grows in pots on a sunny balcony or in a small garden space.
Use fertile soil.
Plant in cool weather.
Keep moisture levels consistent.
Harvest and enjoy!
You can plant again in the fall. Double the bounty!
Share your favorite ways to add spinach to your meals. Use #NationalSpinachDay to post on social media.
