You might be wondering what “eating in season” is, or “even whats the big deal about it?”. Well, “eating in season” means to eating foods that are seasonably available. A simple example would be, eating berries in berry picking season (rather than at some other time of the year).
But why eat seasonally?
There are many reasons to eat seasonally that benefit not just you, but others around you and your local economy.
Benefits of Eating In-Season
1. Support Local Farmers
Buying in-season fruits and vegetables allows us to support local farmers and our local economies, as out-of-season fruits and vegetables are often grown and shipped from another country and solely found in the grocery store. Additionally, buying in-season fruits and vegetables directly from local farmers gives us a unique and often broader selection than what’s available in the grocery store.
2. Be Eco-Friendly
Buying in-season fruits and vegetables means they can be produced locally and do not have to be imported from the far corners of the world. This means there are fewer greenhouse and transport emissions associated with them.
3. Save Some Money
Buying in-season fruits and vegetables can also help ease your bank account. Local, in-season fruits and vegetables are available at the local farmer’s market, often at lower prices than the grocery store. We can also save a few dollars on those in-season fruits and vegetables that are not grown locally. When fruits and vegetables are in-season they are widely available, causing their retail price in the grocery store to drop, even if they are not grown locally.
4. Eat a Nutrient-Rich Diet
Studies have found that fruits and vegetables grown in-season have a higher concentration of nutrients than those grown outside of their natural growing season. One study found broccoli grown in-season had a greater concentration of vitamin C than broccoli grown out of season. When grown in artificial conditions, fruits and veggies do not follow their natural growing and ripening patterns, resulting in changes in their nutrient content. Additionally, fruits and vegetables that are grown out of season often require ripening agents or further processing for ripening and transportation. These processes can either induce or limit maturation and ripening of fruits and vegetables as they are transported to our local grocery stores.
In-Season Fruits & Veggies
January
Bananas, Grapefruit, Lemons, Mushrooms, Onions and Leeks, Oranges, Pears, Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes and Yams, Turnips, Winter Squash
February
Bananas, Grapefruit, Lemons, Mushrooms, Onions and Leeks, Oranges, Pears, Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes and Yams, Turnips, Winter Squash
March
Bananas, Grapefruit, Lemons, Mushrooms, Onions and Leeks, Oranges, Pears, Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes and Yams, Turnips, Winter Squash
April
Apricots, Bananas, Broccoli, Cabbage, Green Beans, Honeydew Melon, Lettuce, Mangos, Mushrooms, Onions and Leeks, Peas, Pineapple, Rhubarb, Spinach, Strawberries
May
Apricots, Bananas, Broccoli, Cabbage, Green Beans, Honeydew Melon, Lettuce, Mangos, Mushrooms, Onions and Leeks, Peas, Pineapple, Rhubarb, Spinach, Strawberries
June
Apricots, Bananas, Beets, Bell Peppers, Blackberries, Blueberries, Cantaloupe, Cherries, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Garlic, Grapefruits, Grapes, Green Beans, Honeydew Melon, Kiwifruit, Lima Beans, Mushrooms, Nectarine, Peaches, Peas, Plums, Radishes, Raspberries, Strawberries, Summer Squash and Zucchini, Tomatillos, Tomatoes, Watermelon
July
[comming soon]
September
Apples, Bananas, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Carrots, Cauliflower, Cranberries, Garlic, Ginger, Grapes, Mushrooms, Parsnips, Pears, Pineapple, Pumpkins, Sweet Potatoes and Yams, Winter Squash
October
Apples, Bananas, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Carrots, Cauliflower, Cranberries, Garlic, Ginger, Grapes, Mushrooms, Parsnips, Pears, Pineapple, Pumpkins, Sweet Potatoes and Yams, Winter Squash
November
Apples, Bananas, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Carrots, Cauliflower, Cranberries, Garlic, Ginger, Grapes, Mushrooms, Parsnips, Pears, Pineapple, Pumpkins, Sweet Potatoes and Yams, Winter Squash
December
Bananas, Grapefruit, Lemons, Mushrooms, Onions and Leeks, Oranges, Pears, Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes and Yams, Turnips, Winter Squash
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