Good And Gather Frozen Fruit

Get Ready to Enjoy Delicious and Nutritious Frozen Fruit

Have you noticed those brightly colored bags of frozen fruit at your local Target store? They’re part of Target’s new Good & Gather brand, offering high-quality ingredients at affordable prices. I’ve tried out quite a few of their frozen fruit options and want to share my experiences to help you make the most informed buying decisions.

In this detailed buying guide, I’ll tell you everything you need to know about Good & Gather Frozen Fruit, from what’s available to how to use it in recipes. You’ll learn the benefits of stocking up on frozen fruits, get tips for saving money, find out how to store them properly, and discover delicious ways to enjoy smoothies, desserts, and more using these convenient frozen ingredients.

Whether you’re someone who likes adding fruit to your morning yogurt or oatmeal, blending up smoothies for the family, or baking pies and crisps for dessert, having frozen fruit on hand makes it so easy. The fruits are picked at peak ripeness, quickly frozen to lock in nutrients, and ready to grab from the freezer whenever you need them. Let’s dive in!

What Exactly is Good & Gather Frozen Fruit?

The Good & Gather brand was launched by Target in 2019 as their new flagship food brand, focused on using organic, natural, and minimally processed ingredients. The frozen fruit line is part of this brand and offers affordable bags of frozen strawberries, blueberries, mango, pineapple, peach slices, and berry medleys.

Target has rigorous quality standards for their Good & Gather products. The frozen fruits are sourced from farmers dedicated to sustainable practices. The fruits are picked and frozen at the perfect stage of ripeness when flavors and nutritional value are highest. Unlike some brands, no extra syrups or sugars are added – it’s just pure, natural fruit.

Where to Buy Good & Gather Frozen Fruit

Since Good & Gather is Target’s signature brand, the only place you can find these frozen fruit bags is at Target stores or on Target.com. They can be found in the frozen fruit section or freezer aisle.

Most Target stores carry a decent selection of the Good & Gather frozen fruits. But I recommend browsing and ordering online if you want the full range of options. The Target website shows the complete product line and you can easily get frozen fruit delivered along with the rest of your Target order.

The Best Good & Gather Frozen Fruit Options

Here is an overview of the many delicious Good & Gather frozen fruit varieties available:

• Strawberries – Available in both sliced and whole strawberries. Sweet and juicy.
• Blueberries – Plump, bold blueberries perfect for yogurt, oatmeal, or smoothies. Often less expensive than fresh.
• Peach slices – Sweet sliced peaches, great for desserts like cobblers and crisps.
• Mango chunks – Tropical mango pieces to blend into smoothies or eat as-is.
• Pineapple chunks – Flavorful bites of pineapple ready to throw into any dish.
• Triple berry medley – A mix of blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries.
• Tropical medley – Blend of mango, pineapple, and strawberries.
• Cherry medley – Cherry, blueberry, raspberry, and blackberry mix ideal for pies.

They also offer a few organic frozen fruit options certified USDA Organic, including organic strawberries, triple berry blend, and tropical blend.

Are Good & Gather Frozen Fruits Organic?

As mentioned above, Target does offer some specific organic frozen fruit options under the Good & Gather brand. These include organic strawberries, an organic tropical blend, and an organic triple berry blend.

For these fruits, you’ll see the USDA Organic seal on the packaging, meaning the fruit was grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. The organic fruit bags are a bit more expensive than the regular Good & Gather frozen fruits.

The rest of the Good & Gather frozen fruit line is not organic. However, Target states that conventional Good & Gather frozen fruits are grown using responsible and sustainable farming methods. No artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives are added.

So while it’s not certified organic, the regular Good & Gather frozen fruit is still a good quality and healthy product free from unwanted additives. But if organic is important to you, opt for those specific organic bags.

How is the Fruit Packaged and Sold?

Good & Gather Frozen Fruit is available in resealable plastic bags that come in various weights. Most are sold in 12 to 16 ounce bags. Some fruits like the blueberries and cherries also come in larger 24 to 30 ounce “family size” bags.

The bags make it really easy to take out just what you need. You can open the bag, remove a portion like 1 cup of strawberries, then quickly re-seal the bag to prevent freezer burn.

One tip I have is to press out excess air before re-sealing to minimize frost developing inside. Then be sure to use the fruit within a few months for best flavor and texture.

In terms of price, a 12 ounce bag ranges from $3.49 to $4.99 depending on the type of fruit. Occasional sales knock the prices down further. Considering fresh berries can cost $5 or more for just a half pint, the Good & Gather frozen fruit bags are a real steal!

Nutritional Benefits of Frozen Fruit

One concern some people have about frozen fruits is whether they retain the same nutrients as fresh. The good news is frozen fruit is just as nutritious as fresh!

In fact, because frozen fruits are picked and frozen at peak ripeness, they may contain even higher levels of vitamins and antioxidants than fresh fruit that has sat around.

Here are some of the top nutrients found in Good & Gather frozen fruits:

• Vitamin C – Supports immune function and wound healing. High in strawberries, pineapple, and mango.
• Fiber – For digestive health. Highest in blueberries and strawberries.
• Vitamin K – Important for blood clotting. Abundant in blueberries and cherries.
• Potassium – Critical electrolyte that benefits muscles and heart. High in peach slices.
• Antioxidants – Protect cells from damage and may lower disease risk. All the fruits are packed with different antioxidants.

So you can feel good about the many vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants you and your family get from eating Good & Gather frozen fruits!

Delicious Ways to Use Frozen Fruit

Now let’s get to the fun part – how to eat and enjoy these frozen fruits! Here are some of my favorite ideas:

• Toss frozen fruit into your regular yogurt, oatmeal, or cereal for an easy way to add nutrition. Berries and peaches work great for this.
• Make smoothies with frozen fruit as the base. The cold fruit makes smoothies thick and icy without needing ice. Bananas and milk round out the drink.
• Swirl frozen fruit into nice cream (banana soft serve) for a creamy, healthy treat the kids will love.
• Bake up some muffins or crisps using frozen peaches, cherries, strawberries, or a berry medley. The fruit stays nice and intact when thawed during baking.
• Mix frozen mango, pineapple, or berries into pancake or waffle batter. The fruit remains frozen for tasty fruity bites.
• Make fruit salsa with diced mango, pineapple, and strawberries to top fish, pork, or grilled chicken.
• Blend frozen fruit into homemade popsicles for a refreshing summer snack kids go crazy over.

With so many sweet possibilities, your family will never get bored enjoying these frozen fruits!

Can You Use Frozen Fruit in Smoothies?

Smoothies are one of my favorite ways to devour handy frozen fruit. The fruit gives smoothies a thick, milkshake-like texture without needing ice cubes. You also avoid possible watering down from ice melting.

Some great frozen fruits for smoothies include:

• Strawberries – Give a rich, creamy texture. Partner with banana and yogurt.
• Mangos – Add tropical flair and sweetness. Mix with pineapple and orange juice.
• Cherry medley – Provides tasty tartness to balance out sweetness. Include almond milk and protein powder.
• Blueberries – Mix in vanilla Greek yogurt and almond milk for a classic flavor.

A few pro tips when using frozen fruit in smoothies:

• Use fully frozen fruit straight from the freezer. Partially thawed fruit can get too mushy.
• Cut large frozen fruits into smaller pieces so they blend up easier.
• Add a liquid like milk or juice to get the right drinkable consistency.
• Sweeten with honey, maple syrup, vanilla, or cocoa powder if desired.

With the right combo of frozen fruits, liquids, and sweeteners, you’ll whip up crave-worthy smoothies in no time!

How Long Does Frozen Fruit Last?

One major perk of frozen fruit is its long shelf life compared to fresh. When stored continuously at 0°F, the USDA says frozen fruit retains optimal quality for:

• Strawberries and blueberries – 12 months
• Peaches, mangos, pineapple – 18 months

The Good & Gather bags have a recommended use by date printed on the packaging. For example, my current bag of strawberries says “best by August 2021”.

As long as you keep the frozen fruit at 0°F, it should retain good color, texture, and flavor for the USDA recommended times above, even if it’s a few months past the use by date.

Of course, the sooner you finish off the bags the better the fruit will taste. Only buy what you know your family will eat in a reasonable timeframe.

Taste Reviews of Good & Gather Frozen Fruit

Don’t just take my word on how tasty the Good & Gather frozen fruits are! Here are some reviews from others who have tried it:

Jessica wrote:

“These Good & Gather wild blueberries are my new frozen fruit obsession! They’re so juicy and bursting with flavor. I throw them in my Greek yogurt every morning.”

Mike commented:

“The strawberry bag is a staple in my smoothie recipe. Nice sized pieces blend up perfectly. Great quality for the price.”

Emma said:

“I made a mixed berry cobbler with the triple berry blend and it was amazing! My family loved it. The berries held up great when baking.”

Most reviews I’ve seen online give the frozen fruit high marks for flavor, especially considering the budget price point. People love having an affordable way to add tasty, nutritious fruit to their daily meals.

Storing Good & Gather Frozen Fruit

To get the most out of your Good & Gather frozen fruits, be sure to store and handle them properly:

• Keep frozen at 0°F or below. The freezer bags are not meant for long term room temperature thawing.
• Handle bags gently to avoid crushing the delicate fruit inside. Don’t drop or compress bags.
• Seal tightly after opening to prevent freezer burn. Press out excess air before sealing.
• Use oldest bags first and don’t overload your freezer. Eat within recommended time frames.
• Rinse under cool water when thawing fruit for eating. Don’t thaw full bags until ready to use.

Following these tips will maintain the high quality of the fruit and prevent waste. Proper freezing is key!

Is Good & Gather Frozen Fruit Gluten-Free?

Here’s some good news for anyone avoiding gluten. Since the Good & Gather frozen fruit contains just pure fruit with no additives, all the varieties are certified gluten-free!

This makes it easy for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity to enjoy these healthy frozen fruits without worry. You can check the labels on Target’s website which state “gluten-free” on all varieties.

So feel free to use the Good & Gather frozen fruits in your gluten-free recipes. They’re a great way to add flavor and nutrients without any harm from gluten.

Using Frozen Fruit in Baking and Desserts

Move over fresh fruit – frozen works amazingly well in baked goods too! Here are some tips:

• Let frozen fruit thaw before mixing into batter or dough. But leave some small frozen bits for texture.
• Reduce any added liquids slightly to account for moisture released from the fruit as it thaws.
• Prevent sinking and bleeding by tossing fruit with a bit of flour before folding into batter.
• Bake fruit pies, tarts, cobblers and crisps straight from frozen. No need to thaw fruit first.
• For muffins and quick breads, freeze fruit separately then add to dry ingredients, or use fruit puree.

With a little trial and error, you can make amazing baked goods with frozen fruits! Play around with different varieties.

Delicious Frozen Fruit Dessert Recipes to Try

If you’re looking for some tasty ways to use up those bags of frozen fruit, give these sweet treats a try!

Triple Berry Nice Cream

• Blend 2 bananas, 1 cup frozen triple berry blend, and 1/4 cup milk for a healthy “ice cream” the whole family will love. Top with nuts or shredded coconut.

Upside-Down Peach Skillet Cake

• Arrange frozen sliced peaches in bottom of a buttered cast iron skillet. Pour cake batter on top and bake until golden. Flip onto a plate for a stunning cake.

Mango Strawberry Fruit Leather

• Puree thawed mango and strawberries. Spread on a baking sheet and bake at 170°F for 4-6 hours until dried out. Cut into chewy fruit leather strips.

Frozen Pineapple Coconut Popsicles

• Blend pineapple chunks, coconut milk, honey, and lime juice. Pour into popsicle molds and freeze for a tropical, dairy-free treat.

Let your imagination run wild coming up with new ways to eat all that yummy frozen fruit!

Can You Buy Good & Gather Frozen Fruit Online?

As I mentioned earlier, one great perk of the Good & Gather frozen fruit line being sold exclusively at Target is that you can order it online through Target too.

Purchasing online gives you a few advantages:

• View and choose from the full selection of frozen fruits.
• Check for current sale prices and special promotions.
• Get the fruit delivered right to your door by ordering Target grocery delivery or Drive Up. No lugging heavy bags around the store!
• Have the fruit shipped frozen alongside the rest of your Target order. It arrives ready to transfer straight to the freezer.

So if you want quick home delivery of high quality and affordable frozen fruit, Target.com is the way to go. Place an order today!

How Much Does Good & Gather Frozen Fruit Cost?

Here is an overview of current price ranges for the Good & Gather frozen fruit line:

• 12 oz bags – $3.49 to $4.29
• 16 oz bags – $3.99 to $4.99
• 24 oz and 30 oz family size bags – $5.99 to $7.49

The organic fruit bags cost between $1 and $2 more than the conventional fruits.

Cherries and tropical mango tend to be at the pricier end while blueberries and strawberries are most budget-friendly. But overall, the prices for Good & Gather frozen fruit are very reasonable in my opinion. They often cost less than fresh.

Check Target sales and coupons for even better deals. Stock up when you can get bags for $3 or less! Compared to the $5+ you would pay elsewhere, you can get amazing savings on delicious frozen fruit.

Are There Additives in the Frozen Fruit?

One thing that impresses me about Target’s Good & Gather brand is the focus on keeping additives to a minimum. According to the ingredients lists, the frozen fruit contains just one single ingredient – the fruit itself!

For example, the strawberries ingredient is listed as just “Strawberries”. Same goes for the mangos, blueberries, etc. No added sugars, preservatives, oils, or anything artificial added.

This means you get just pure, unadulterated fruit frozen at the peak of freshness. It’s so nice to have clean ingredient options at affordable prices.

Using Frozen Fruit in Savory Dishes

While we’ve focused a lot on using frozen fruit in sweet desserts and smoothies, I also love throwing these handy fruit bags into savory dishes too. Here are some ideas:

• Toss frozen pineapple, mango, or cherry medley onto pizza for a tropical twist.
• Stir frozen strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries into cold grain bowls and salads.
• Mix frozen peach slices into pork or chicken salad recipes for a pop of color and flavor.
• Blend frozen strawberries into a creamy gazpacho soup for a unique addition.

With a little creative thinking outside the box, you can liven up all types of meals with these versatile frozen fruits!

Are Good & Gather Frozen Fruits Non-GMO?

Target has not labeled any of the Good & Gather frozen fruit bags as certified non-GMO or GMO-free. This isn’t too surprising given the higher costs involved with verifying and testing for the absence of genetically modified material.

However, many major fruits sold in the U.S., like strawberries and blueberries, are not generally genetically engineered at this time. So while not tested and labeled as non-GMO, the Good & Gather fruit likely contains minimal GMO risk.

If the presence of GMOs is a big concern for you, I suggest opting for organic fruit which cannot contain GMOs. But the conventional Good & Gather frozen fruit should be fine for most people wanting to avoid additives – just not verified as non-GMO.

Maximizing the Shelf Life of Frozen Fruit

To get the longest shelf life out of your bags of frozen fruit, be diligent about proper storage. Here are my top tips:

• Store at 0°F or below. Set your freezer to the coldest temp possible. Use a thermometer to verify it’s at 0°F or less.
• Keep freezer full. Fill empty space with jugs of water to prevent temperature fluctuations during opening.
• Minimize temperature changes. Open the freezer door only when needed so cold air doesn’t escape.
• Use older bags first and don’t overbuy more than you can eat in time. Check use by dates.
• Seal bags tightly and press out air before returning to freezer to avoid frost and freezer burn.

Following best practices for freezing and being organized can help you maximize the shelf life and quality. Enjoy your frozen fruits before they go bad!

Possible Allergens to Watch Out For

Since the Good & Gather frozen fruit contains just the fruit itself with no mystery additives, allergens are not a big concern. But individuals with certain fruit allergies should take note:

• Strawberries – Some people are allergic to strawberries. Opt for other fruits if needed.
• Mangos – Related to poison ivy, so those with mango allergy should avoid.
• Cherry medley – Contains cherry so those with cherry allergy should not eat.

For most people, the simple ingredient list makes Good & Gather frozen fruit a worry-free choice. But always check with a doctor if you have food allergies.

Satisfy Fruit Cravings with Frozen Goodness

After learning all about Target’s Good & Gather frozen fruit line, are you excited to start enjoying these convenient and healthy options? I hope this guide gives you the info you need to choose delicious fruits and use them creatively in recipes.

Stock up on a few bags next time you shop at Target. Just think of the endless smoothies, ice cream, and cobblers you can whip up! You’ll always have tasty and nutritious fruit ready to thaw out and devour whenever that fruit craving strikes.