What is Seasonal Eating?
Seasonal eating is a sustainable way of eating, so you only eat fruits and vegetables that are in season for your geographic area. For example, eating winter squash in the fall, greens in the winter, broccoli in the spring, tomatoes in the summer, and so on.
This article will go over the number of benefits that eating seasonally provides.
Eating with the Seasons Saves money
As you walk along the edges of the produce aisle, you’ll see a separate selection of produce. These fruits and vegetables are usually in season, so they’ll be less expensive. Depending on the store, they might provide produce sourced from local farms while it’s in season. The cost of produce is less because there are not as many travel or storage-related expenses to add to the production costs which are passed onto the consumer.
Seasonal Food is Fresher
The average piece of produce found in the store traveled over 1000 miles to reach your plate. Often, this means it was picked before it was ripe or has started aging over the long trip. Compare locally grown produce to store produce. Most likely, you will see a difference in color, vibrancy and most definitely taste. When you grow your own food or buy from a local farmer, the produce is picked that day or the day before. The produce is fresh and has more nutrients.
Seasonal Produce is Healthier
Not only is locally-sourced seasonal produce fresher, it also has more nutrients. Anti-oxidants such as Vitamin C, folate, and carotenes rapidly decline when stored for periods of time. Phyto-nutrient content is also reduced. Large markets and grocers also tend to supply produce that has preservatives to extend the shelf life of produce. For some people, this might contribute to certain food sensitivities.
Seasonal Food is More flavorful
More nutrients mean more flavor. That’s why nothing beats a homegrown tomato. You can pick it up at the perfect time and eat it right then. Store-bought tomatoes ripen off the vine, which doesn’t pack as much punch.
When crops travel long distances, they go through different processes to prevent spoiling, slow down ripening, or speed it up. These different processes affect the flavor and texture of the produce, which makes it lack flavor.
Seasonal Food is Less traveled
Eating with the seasons is all about local food. Would you feel your best after traveling thousands of miles? Probably not. Food is not meant to travel that far. If given the choice, always choose food from your state or even city. Farmers’ markets like the Farm Hippie are a great places to shop because they work with producers to supply seasonal produce, which takes out all the guesswork when trying to buy seasonally.
Eating with the Seasons Supports Your Body
Winters or early spring vegetables, such as leafy greens, broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts are especially high in Vitamin C. Vitamin C is very important for preventing infections, colds, and cases of flu. Winter vegetables are often suitable for hot meals, healthy stews, soups, casseroles, and other warming meals.
Summer foods such as stone fruits provide extra beta-carotenes and other carotenoids that help protect us against sun damage, they also provide more sweetness for an energetic summer. Other summer foods such as salad vegetables, provide cool summer salads.
Locally Sourced Produce Support Economy
Supporting local farmers and eating with the seasons is better for the economy. Just like supporting other local businesses, local farms give more back to our local economy. Shopping at farmers’ markets or indoor markets like the Farm Hippie also supports local businesses, which are vital in our community.
Local Produce Supports Community AKA Know Your Farmer
Getting to know where your food comes from, who grows it, and how they do it also makes you feel more connected to the food process. CSAs, farmer’s markets, and other ways to support farmers create communities. Communities that are centered around local food encourage us to share our knowledge, ask questions and engage in our own local environment. We become more aware that we’re all in this together and that we should support each other.
Eating with the Seasons Encourages Home Cooking
Eating seasonal produce usually encourages you to cook more, which is much better for your health. It allows you to take control of your body and what you put in it. Now you can control which oil you choose to cook with, how much sugar you add to your food etc, as you are consciously making better choices for your health.
Using Seasonal Produces Forces You to Get Creative
Being part of a CSA helped me save money, but it also forced me to try and cook new things. The same with shopping at the farmers market. It challenges your creativity, so you come up with new, fun, and delicious dishes based on what you find. Variety is also the key to a healthy diet. And diet variety is also important in reducing food intolerance and allergies.
This concludes this post with 10 benefits to eating seasonally. What are the reasons you choose to eat seasonally? What tips and tricks have you learned along the way? Leave us a comment and let us know!
Written by Kayla Kamp, Owner of Replenishing Farms and Advocate of Local Food and Farmers