Skip to main content
California Department of Education Logo

Broccoli

Department of Defense fact sheet containing nutritional information for broccoli.

Product Description

Good quality broccoli should have fresh-looking, light green stalks that are no more than approximately five inches in length and of consistent thickness. Bud clusters should be compact and purple-green in color.

Peak Growing Season

Broccoli is available throughout the year. Its peak season is from March to November.

Uses

Broccoli can be used in stir-fries, rice bowls, soups, and salads.

Preparation

Handle broccoli with care to avoid discoloration, deterioration, or loss of buds. To revive slightly wilted broccoli, apply ice directly to bunches or plunge in cold water, drain, and refrigerate.

Storage

Broccoli should be stored between 32–35 degrees Fahrenheit with a relative humidity of 90–95 percent. They should be topped with ice when refrigerated and stored in an area with good air circulation. To ensure good air circulation, one should allow adequate spacing between boxes.

Best If Used By

Broccoli can be stored in the refrigerator for up to four days.

Nutrition Facts

Legend: kcal = kilocalorie; g = gram; mg = milligram; RAE = retinol activity equivalent; IU = international unit

1/2 cup of raw broccoli provides:

Calories 15
Protein 1.28 g
Carbohydrate 3.02 g
Fat 0.17 g
Saturated Fat 0.018 g
Cholesterol 0 mg
Iron 0.33 mg
Vitamin C 40.6 mg
Vitamin A 14 RAE
Calcium 21 mg
Sodium 15 mg
Dietary Fiber 1.2 g

Source of Information

Produce Marketing Association External link opens in new window or tab.

FoodData Central External link opens in new window or tab.

Dole External link opens in new window or tab.

Questions:   Food Distribution Program | 916-324-7132
Last Reviewed: Monday, August 17, 2026
Related Content
  • DoD Fact Sheets
    Department of Defense (DoD) fresh fruits and vegetables fact sheets.
Recently Posted in Nutrition
  • Opportunity: Ultraprocessed Foods Evaluation (added 07-Oct-2026)
    Opportunity to Participate in the Ultraprocessed Foods (UPFs) in CA Schools Evaluation
  • MB FDP-01-2026 Shipment and Receipt of USDA Foods (added 07-Oct-2026)
    The FNS Instruction 709-5, Revision 4 applies to local educational agencies and other entities that receive USDA Foods directly from a USDA-contracted vendor. It does not apply to USDA Foods received from a State distribution center, Co-op, or a cont
  • FNS 709-5, Rev. 4: Shipment & Receipt of USDA Food (added 01-Oct-2026)
    This management bulletin outlines the updates to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Instruction 709-5, Revision 4: Shipment and Receipt of USDA Foods.
  • 2026–27 FFVP Second Allocation Funding Results (added 30-Sep-2026)
    On September 29, 2026, the CDE NSD awarded and posted the FFVP second allocation grant recipients and funding allocations for School Year 2026–27 on the CDE FFVP Funding Results web page. The FFVP second allocation is October 1, 2026–June 30, 2027.
  • USDA Foods Participation Election for SY 2027–28 (added 29-Sep-2026)
    Beginning October 1, 2026, and through December 15, 2026, SNP sponsors participating in the Food Distribution Program may submit a request to change the way they order and receive USDA Foods for School Year (SY) 2027–28.

  • Updates to Child Nutrition Program Standards (added 29-Sep-2026)
    Two MBs SNP-08-2026, SFSP-02-2026 Updates to School Nutrition Program Standards and SNP-09-2026 Preschool Meal Pattern Requirements have been updated to reflect new federal meal pattern and nutrition standard requirement & flexibility options.
  • Fontanini Foods Recalls Pork Sausage Products (added 29-Sep-2026)
    Fontanini Foods LLC Recalls Raw, Frozen Pork Sausage Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination.
  • SUN Bucks Funds (added 29-Sep-2026)
    SUN Bucks Funding allocations provide eligible local educational agencies (LEA) funds to help support the work associated with Universal Benefits Applications (UBA)/SUN Bucks-compliant applications during the applicable SUN Bucks eligibility period.
  • 2026 SUN Bucks Funds (added 29-Sep-2026)
    The 2026 SUN Bucks Funding allocations provide eligible local educational agencies with funds to help support the work associated with Universal Benefits Applications (UBA)/SUN Bucks-compliant applications during the applicable SUN Bucks eligible.
  • Assembly Bill 1264 Public Input Survey Open (added 28-Sep-2026)
    Survey forwarded from California Department of Public Health for public input on AB 1264.