Two for a dollar: How often does that price break occur at the Minnesota State Fair? Let's put it this way: almost never. But that's the case with the plum-sized Red Haven peaches at the Produce Exchange, the fairgrounds' one-stop source for all things fresh, fruity and seasonal.
The stand, an outpost of the greengrocer at the Midtown Global Market in Minneapolis, is hawking an impressive array of jumbo peaches imported from Colorado, California and Washington state (don't miss the Sweet Dream, an ultra-juicy, two-napkins-required indulgence), but with all the plus-sized goodies at the fair, isn't it nice to run into a good-and-good-for-you snack that's in a more realistic -- not to mention kid-friendly -- portion?
Another reason to admire the Red Haven, a hardy, semi-fuzz-free fruit with a firm, golden pulp, is that they're semi-local, sourced out of Benton Harbor, Mich. The area hugs Lake Michigan's southeast shore and, because the region enjoys one of nature's happy confluences of climate and soil, it has developed into one of the Midwest's more productive fruit baskets. It's a 500-mile journey from there to here, but for a peach, that's practically in our back yard.
RICK NELSON
Red Haven peaches (two for $1) at the Produce Exchange (www.mid townproduceexchange.com) at the Minnesota State Fair, south side of the Agriculture/Horticulture Building.
