Wednesday, July 9, 2014

What's in Season?

I think many of us look forward to summer and eating some of the traditional fruits that are in season, but what else might be in season and why should we try them all?

I found this website for North America - www.eattheseasons.com. Of course, this will vary a little based on where you live in the US, but it's a good starting point. The site is also published in the UK and maybe other countries/areas too.

So what's in season in July?


arugula, beets, beet greens, bell peppers, carrots, corn, cucumber, eggplant, garlic, kohlrabi, peas, radishes, rhubarb, zucchini

apricots, blackberries, blueberries, cherries, lemons, limes, melon, mulberries, nectarines, passion fruit, peaches, plums, strawberries, tomatoes

 

Why choose fruits and vegetables that are in season?

From www.eattheseasons.com, there are a number of good reasons to eat more local, season food:
  • to reduce the energy (and associated C02 emissions) needed to grow and transport the food we eat
  • to avoid paying a premium for food that is scarcer or has traveled a long way
  • to support the local economy
  • to reconnect with nature cycles and the passing of time
  • seasonal food is fresher and so tends to be tastier and more nutritious

Action Item: Try a new fruit and/or vegetable today. Chilled fruits are one of the most refreshing choices on a hot summer day!

For Further Reading: Another great website for finding what foods are fresh and local in your area is the Eat Well Guide. And if you don't enjoy shopping often for fruits and veg, read this post and see if your area farmers offer a Community Supported Agriculture program.

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