By Heide Kennedy, Arizona Farm Bureau Communications Intern
Whenever cold and flu season rolls around, we’re all so quick to stock up on vitamin C supplements to try to help build up our immunity and not get sick. But vitamin C is important for your body whether it’s cold and flu season or not, and it does way more than just build up our immunities! 
According to the Cleveland Clinic, besides boosting our immune systems, vitamin C also is a powerful antioxidant, and it helps to form and maintain your connective tissues, skin, and bones. Also, vitamin C is considered an essential nutrient. That basically means that our bodies don’t produce vitamin on their own. Rather, we fulfill our vitamin C needs through what we eat.
Whenever we think of foods that are rich in vitamin C, our minds typically always go to citrus, such as oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruit (Which Arizona agriculture produces a lot of!). While citrus is definitely an amazing source of vitamin C, there are quite a few other foods that are full of this healthful nutrient too!
- Cruciferous vegetables (Such as broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale, etc.)
- White potatoes
- Red peppers
- Strawberries
- Papaya
- Guava
- Cantaloupe
- Tomatoes
- Kiwis
Arizona agriculture grows a lot of these vitamin C rich foods! Next time that you’re out grocery shopping, look for locally grown vegetables, citrus, and melons. Not only will you be reaping the health benefits that vitamin C has to offer, but you’ll also be supporting local farmers!