It may not be feeling like fall much these days but the meteorological fall season is upon us and a local nutrition educator says that means the fall produce season is upon us.

Apples, squash, and cranberries are among a host of produce items coming into season. Caitlin Mellendorf is a nutrition educator with the University of Illinois Extension and indicates these items and more have a lot of diversity, especially as we start to begin cooking with our ovens, slow cookers, and pressure cookers more.

As the fall produce season nears, Mellendorf enjoys the versatility of the sweet potato, which is coming in season right now. She also is promoting an upcoming program about applesauce and the possibilities with apples that may be in your back yard, at the apple orchard, or just a bag of apples from your local grocery store.

Mellendorf plans to update her food blog at the University of Illinois Extension website soon. Find the DeWitt, Macon, or Piatt County Extension office websites and seek out her blogs and programs there.