H.A. Maier

In the fall, Jim’s family provides us with several delicious varieties of hardy winter squash like butternut, acorn, delicata, spaghetti, and pie pumpkins. “Squash really flourish in this region,” Jim says. “We say squash doesn’t like wet feet, they do best in soil that drains well. The sandy loam soil around here is perfect, and the cooler summers help, too. We start harvesting around the first of September until about mid-October. Butternut needs to be picked before the frost, so, some years, we really have to hustle.” Every harvest season, over ten thousand 42-pound boxes of squash are delivered to Wegmans—that’s about 140,000 delicious winter squash!

“My dad and uncle started delivering produce to Wegmans in the late 1960s to early 1970s. We like working with Wegmans because they stand behind their word. You can feel that commitment when you talk to them. We know Wegmans is there for us and they know we’re there for them.”

Squash is a familiar holiday side dish, but it’s also a great nutritious choice to add to your Half-Plate Healthy meals throughout the season. The various colors of squash come from different health-supporting nutrients and plant compounds. Here are a few of our favorite winter squash varieties and their unique nutritional benefits:

• Spaghetti squash — Low in calories and a fun, kid-friendly swap for pasta which adds more veggies to your plate
• Acorn squash — One cup of cooked acorn squash provides 9 grams of fiber, which can help promote heart health and weight management
• Butternut squash — An excellent source of vitamin A, a nutrient linked with eye and immune system health