{"title":"Fruits","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"forever-stamps-2020-fruits-vegetables-fresh-produce-collection-first-class-postage","title":"Forever Stamps 2020 Fruits \u0026 Vegetables – Fresh Produce Collection, First-Class Postage","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFirst Day of Issue:  \u003c\/strong\u003eJuly 17, 2020\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFirst Day City:  \u003c\/strong\u003eCharleston, West Virginia\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrinted by:  \u003c\/strong\u003eBanknote Corporation of America\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrinting Method:  \u003c\/strong\u003eOffset\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFormat:  \u003c\/strong\u003eDouble-sided booklets of 20\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy the stamps were issued:  \u003c\/strong\u003eTo show off the simple beauty of fruits and vegetables.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout the stamp designs:  \u003c\/strong\u003ePictures existing artwork of green and purple figs by Robert Papp.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFirst Day City: \u003c\/strong\u003eThe USPS chose Charleston, West Virginia, for the First Day of Issue postmark because of the city’s famous Capitol Market, a year-round farmers’ market, and nonprofit organization.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout the Fruits and Vegetables set:  \u003c\/strong\u003eIncludes 10 different stamps designs all picturing a different fruit or vegetable still life by Robert Papp.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistory the stamp represents:  \u003c\/strong\u003eGrocery stores today frequently mislabel many fruits and vegetables.  For example, some people know eggplants, tomatoes, and squash are all fruits, but most do not know that bananas are actually berries and figs are flowers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFigs are a popular food in the Mediterranean ad Middle East since that’s where they originate.  In the United States, on the other hand, they are not as common.  In fact, nearly all figs in the US are grown in California.  The state has the perfect conditions for this unusual fruit – full sun, warm temperatures, and well-draining soil.  The fig-growing season in California ranges from May to November, depending on the species.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen most people think of figs, they picture the dark purple-black Mission figs.  However, there are also Brown Turkey (light purple), Kadota (amber), Sierra (light green), and Tiger (green and yellow striped) varieties.  Each has a unique flavor ranging from rich and “meaty,” to light and citrusy, similar to a raspberry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRegardless of the variety, fresh ripe figs are sweet and nutritious.  In fact, famous Roman scholar Pliny the Elder once said, “Figs are restorative.  They increase the strength of young people, preserve the elderly in better health, and make them look younger with fewer wrinkles.”\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My 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2019 Winter Berries – Seasonal Holiday Collection, First-Class Postage","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIssue Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e  September 17, 2019\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFirst Day City: \u003c\/strong\u003e Tulsa, OK\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrinted by:  \u003c\/strong\u003eAshton Potter (USA) Ltd.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrinting Method:\u003c\/strong\u003e  Offset\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFormat:\u003c\/strong\u003e  Double-sided Booklet of 20\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003eDuring the cold, gray winter months, any splash of color is a welcomed sight.  Most of the time, these colors are provided by visiting songbirds who stick around throughout the year.  Many people like to help these birds by putting up feeders, but there is a better way… Planting winter berries.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWinter berries are trees or shrubs that keep their fruit throughout the winter months.  These plants are the best way to help backyard songbirds (and other wildlife) survive the cold temperatures.  Some species of winter berries keep their leaves, while others just keep their branches and fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 2019, the United States Postal Service honored four species of winter berries on postage stamps:  winterberry, juniper, beautyberry, and soapberry.  The first three are popular winter food sources for many animals.  This includes birds like woodpeckers, quail, robins, waxwings, and catbirds, which normally prefer insects.  When planting winter berries, it is important to identify the shrubs and trees native to your area and choose those.  This reduces the risk of non-native plants out-competing native species.  It will also ensure your berries are equipped to handle your climate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhether you plant winter berries to help out the birds, or to bring much-needed color to your backyard, 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