Let nature decide what’s for dinner.
By Lauren Sloane
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Have you ever bitten into a bland, mealy peach in the middle of winter? That stomach-turning taste and texture may be nature’s way of telling you to start eating seasonally.
Just because you see a mango in your local supermarket during the fall or winter, doesn’t mean that it’s “in season” in your area. In the United States, shoppers have gotten used to having almost every fruit and vegetable available for purchase year-round. Produce is typically imported from other countries during times of the year when these fruits and veggies cannot be grown domestically. Despite the obvious convenience of consistently having a large array of foods available in your grocery store, imported produce may be smaller, more expensive, and simply taste below par.
As a healthy and environmental friendly means of supporting your local farmer and agricultural system, try eating with the seasons. By purchasing produce that is grown locally and at a seasonally appropriate time, you’ll benefit from more fresh, delicious, and affordable food. Whether it’s winter, spring, summer, or fall, there is always a wide variety of fruits and vegetables to choose from.
What’s In Season?
Winter: Apples, Beets, Burdock, Cabbage, Carrots, Collard Greens, Daikon, Garlic, Horseradish, Jerusalem Artichoke, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leeks, Mesclun, Mushrooms, Onions (red and yellow), Parsnips, Pears, Potatoes, Rutabagas, Shallots, Sprouts, Squash, Sweet Potatoes, Turnips, Winter Squash
Spring: Apples, Arugula, Asparagus, Beet Greens, Beets, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Chard, Collard Greens, Cress, Fiddleheads, Garlic, Jerusalem Artichoke, Kale, Lettuce, Mesclun, Mushrooms, Mustard Greens, Onions, Parsnips, Peas (snap and snow), Potatoes, Radishes, Rhubarb, Scallions, Shallots, Spinach, Sprouts, Strawberries, Turnip Greens, Turnips
Summer: Apricots, Beet Greens, Beets, Blackberries, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chard, Cherries, Collard Greens, Cucumbers, Currants, Eggplant, Elderberries, Endive, Fennel, Garlic, Green Beans, Gooseberries, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leeks, Lettuce, Melons, Mesclun, Nectarines, New Potatoes, Okra, Onions (red and yellow), Parsnips, Peaches, Peppers, Plums, Radicchio, Radishes, Rhubarb, Scallions, Shallots, Spinach, Sprouts, Squash, Strawberries, Sweet Corn, Tomatoes, Turnip Greens, Turnips
Fall: Apples, Arugula, Asian pears, Beet Greens, Beets, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Burdock, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chard, Collard Greens, Corn, Cranberries, Cucumbers, Daikon, Eggplant, Fennel, Garlic, Grapes, Green Beans, Horseradish, Kale, Leeks, Lettuce, Mesclun, Mustard Greens, Mushrooms, Okra, Onions (red, yellow), Parsnips, Peas (snap, snow), Peppers, Potatoes, Pumpkins, Quince, Radishes, Raspberries, Rutabagas, Scallions, Shallots, Spinach, Sprouts, Squash, Sweet Potatoes, Tomatoes, Turnip Greens, Turnips
How to Be a Better Seasonal Eater:
Join a local community supported farm (CSA). By putting in a few hours of labor at a local community farm project, you can receive monthly shares of fresh, seasonal produce.
Step on the brakes. Buy produce from roadside stands and farmers markets during the summer and fall. You’ll be supporting local farms and have the pleasure of indulging in seasonally delicious fruits and veggies.
Think Farm to Plate. At restaurants, order foods that can be grown within close geographical distance. Chances are if you’re eating regionally, you’re also eating seasonally.
Visit a “Pick-Your-Own” farm. Stop in during the summer and stock up on anything from peaches to tomatoes. Come autumn, visit these farms for apples and pumpkins. For help locating a “Pick-Your-Own” farm in your area, check out PickYourOwn.org.
Satisfy your sweet tooth seasonally. Try to purchase seasonal juices, ciders, honey, jams, and maple syrup made from regional sources.
Shop at a farmer’s market. Buy direct with farmer’s, artisan cheese makers, bakers, and more by shopping at a farmer’s market. Find farmers’ markets, family farms, and other sources of sustainably grown food in your area at Local Harvest.
