International Carrot Day
It’s the 4th of April which means it’s International Carrot Day!
Carrot day was founded in 2003 to teach people about the healthy attributes of carrots. Carrot lovers around the world celebrate by eating and drinking everything with carrots.
Carrots have a remarkable history which can be traced back over 5000 years. They were initially grown for medical use to treat a variety of ailments. It was only years later when people discovered that they could eat them – a great find considering that carrots are a powerhouse of antioxidants and nutrients.
Rugani Carrots
We, at Greenway Farms, know just how much South African’s love their carrots. Our family has been in the carrot business since 1988. We have three farms, in different provinces, to make sure carrot lovers throughout Southern Africa get their daily dose.
We pack and harvest 300 000kg (300 tons) of Rugani carrots every day – this adds up to over 1 million 1kg bags a week! To give you an idea of how much this is, picture New York’s Empire State building. If you placed every pallet produced on top of each other, they would reach the top of the building in one day!
The Life Force of a Carrot
One of our founders and CEO, Vito Rugani, passionately describes why carrots are the storehouses of new life in this video:Golden Hour – Life Force.“Imagine what happens when a freshly-harvested carrot is placed in a cupboard. A few days later the carrot has sprouted new leaves and new roots. Despite the absence of sunlight, nutrients or water, the carrot, by utilizing only its cell sap (it’s life force) it can start producing life again.”
He goes on to compare carrots with other fruits which would, under the same circumstances, wither and die. “Carrots are a rich source of natural cures. They are the storehouses of new life, that is their job.”
Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits
Carrots are low in fat and protein. 10% of the carbs found in carrots consist of starch, fibre and simple sugars. They are a great source of Vitamin A (beta carotene), as well as vitamins C, B, K, potassium and antioxidants. This means they are excellent for your hair, skin and teeth. Eating carrots has proven to lower the risk of cancer, they are also good for the heart and help keep blood pressure in check. Carrots are linked to a stronger immune system.
Join the fun and celebrate this year’s Carrot Day!
Get Cooking
Carrots can be used in so many dishes! Don’t just dangle a carrot in front of your family by talking about these dishes, actually make them!
How about a Rugani Carrot Flapjacks for breakfast? Followed by a super healthy Bombay Rugani Carrot Salad with cashews for lunch? So, we have breakfast and lunch covered, let us not forget about dinner! A Rugani Thai Carrot and Sweet Potato Soup is on the menu. And for dessert? Never ever, ever forget about dessert – wash the deliciousness down with even more deliciousness, a Carrot Cake Chia Pudding!
Carrot Stories for the little ones
What’s Carrot Day without carrot stories? Here are some of our favourites which the kids will love:
- Tops & Bottoms by Janet Stevens (one of my favorites!)
- The Carrot Seed by Ruth Krauss
- Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynolds
- Carrot Soup by John Segal
- The Giant Carrot by Jan Peck
- You are the Pea, and I am the Carrot by J. Theron Elkins
Carrot Crafts
How about some arts and crafts? The kids will really enjoy making these fun things, especially with Easter Weekend around the corner!
Teach the kids some carrot facts and good nutrition
We all learn something new every day, how about we let today be new and interesting carrot facts.
Do not forget to send us pictures, so we also get to share in your celebrations! Also, remember that every carrot lover in the world is celebrating with you! Enjoy Carrot Day!
