Summer Solstice -- The First Day of Summer

School’s out and it’s time to relax. This is probably what you think of as the first day of summer.

However, in the Northern Hemisphere summer officially starts on June 21, which is called the summer solstice. On the summer solstice, there is more sunlight than any other day of the year, meaning there is more daylight between sunrise and sunset. This is because the sun is farthest from the equator on June 21. During the long summer days, farmers work hard preparing the fall harvest.

In the Northern Hemisphere it is the start of summer; however, in the Southern Hemisphere, it's the beginning of winter. This happens because the earth’s axis is tilted.

During these warm months, there is a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables available at grocery stores. Check your local market for fresh and healthy treats. You can use the fresh ingredients for cooking, or even pizza toppings.

Summer is also a great time to go outside and be active.