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fresh produce
/frɛʃ ˈprɒdjuːs/
unprocessed fruits and vegetables
The grocery store sells fresh produce like apples, carrots, and spinach.
The store offers fruits and vegetables that have not been preserved or processed.
general
unprocessed fruits and vegetables, typically sold for consumption
The farmers' market offers a wide variety of fresh produce.
The market sells recently harvested fruits and vegetables.
She prefers buying fresh produce over canned goods.
She likes to purchase fruits and vegetables that are not preserved.
The term emphasizes items that are not frozen, canned, or otherwise processed.
Collocations
organic fresh producefruits and vegetables grown without synthetic pesticidesseasonal fresh producefruits and vegetables that are currently in seasonlocal fresh producefruits and vegetables grown nearby
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Distinguishing 'produce' from 'product'
'Produce' (noun) refers specifically to fruits and vegetables, while 'product' (noun) can refer to any manufactured item. 'Produce' is only used for food items in this context.
Gold Rule
When to use 'fresh produce'
Use 'fresh produce' when referring to fruits and vegetables that have not been processed, frozen, or canned. Avoid using it for meat, dairy, or grains.
Word Origin
The phrase combines 'fresh' (from Old English 'fresc', meaning not decayed) and 'produce' (from Latin 'producere', meaning to lead forth or bring out). The term emerged in the early 20th century as a marketing term to distinguish unprocessed food items from preserved or canned goods.
Usage Notes
The term is commonly used in grocery stores, farmers' markets, and food-related contexts. It implies items that are recently harvested and not preserved.
Word Breakdown
fresh
recently harvested, not decayed
adjectiveproduce
fruits and vegetables
nounEnglish Dictionary