The cultivation of vegetables has a long history dating back thousands of years. Vegetables were an important part of the diet of ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans, and have been cultivated and consumed around the world for centuries.
In more recent history, access to fresh vegetables has varied depending on a number of factors, including location, economic status, and cultural practices. In some parts of the world, access to fresh vegetables may be limited due to a lack of resources or infrastructure, while in other areas, access may be more readily available.
When shopping for fresh vegetables, it’s important to look for produce that is free of blemishes or decay. Choose vegetables that are in season, as they will likely be fresher and taste better. Look for vegetables that are firm and have a vibrant color, and avoid those that are wilted or have a slimy texture. Consider purchasing your vegetables from a farmer’s market or a local farm, as these sources often have fresher produce than supermarkets. When purchasing pre-cut vegetables, make sure they are refrigerated and look fresh. If you are purchasing frozen vegetables, make sure they are stored in a solid, frost-free package.
| Vegetables | Choose | Avoid |
| Asparagus | Rich, green color; tender stalks; closed, compact tips; round spears | Open, moldy, or decayed tips; ripped spears, excessive sand |
| Beans (snap) | Bright color, tender bean, crisp pods | Thick, tough, or wilted pods; serious blemishes |
| Beets | Slender root; rich red color; smooth, round bulb | Wilted, elongated beets; brown, scaly patches |
| Broccoli | Stems not too thick or tough; firm, compact cluster of small flower buds; dark, deep green color | Open buds; wilted, soft condition; yellow color |
| Brussels Sprouts | Bright green color, tight outer leaves, no blemishes | Yellow or wilted leaves, holes or ragged edges |
| Cabbage | Firm heads, heavy for size; bright red or green color; fresh; no blemishes | Wilted, decayed, yellow outer leaves; worn holes |
| Carrots | Bright color; well-rounded, smooth, firm roots | Flabby, decaying roots; patches of green |
| Cauliflower | Creamy white to white head; compact, clean, solid florets | Discolored spots, wilting |
| Celery | Bright color; smooth, rigid stalks; fresh leaves | Discoloration; flabby or pithy stalks; wilting |
| Corn | Ears with plump, not overly mature kernels; fresh, green husks; silk ends free from damage | Yellow, wilted, or dried husks; kernels that are very small, very large, or dark yellow |
| Cucumbers | Well-shaped, rounded body; bright green color; firm | Signs or wilting, large diameter, yellowing |
| Lettuce | Bright color, crisp leaves for iceberg and romaine, soft texture for leaf lettuce; no blemishes | Very hard heads of iceberg lettuce, poor color, brown or soft spots, irregular heads |
| Mushrooms | White, creamy color; small to medium size; caps closed or slightly open around stem; pink or light tan gills | Badly pitted or discolored caps, wide open caps, dark gills |
| Onoins | ||
| – Yellow, White, and Red | Hard, smooth, and firm with small necks; papery outer covering | Wet or soft necks, woody or sprouting areas |
| – Green | Fresh, green tops; well-formed, white bulbs | Yellow, wilted, or decayed tops |
| Peppers (bell) | Bright color, glossy sheen, firm wells, heavy for size | Thin, wilted; cut or punctured walls; decayed spots |
| Potatoes | Firm, well-shaped, free from blemishes and sunburn | large cuts, bruises, or green spots; soft and decaying areas; signs of sprouting or shriveling |
| Radishes | Plump, round, and firm; medium size; bright red color | Large or flabby radishes, decaying tops |
| Squash | ||
| – Summer | Tender, well-developed, firm body glossy skin | Dull appearance; hard, tough skin |
| – Winter | Hard, tough rind; heavy for size | Tender rind; cuts soft, sunken, or moldy spots |
| Tomatoes | Well-formed, smooth, free from blemishes, bright red for fully ripe, pink to light red and slightly firmer for ripening | Soft spots, moldy areas, growth cracks, bruises |