Eat local. Shop fresh. You have probably heard this and you might already do it, but if you haven’t and/or you don’t, I’d like to present you with some information as to why I believe you should:
What does eating seasonally mean? Seasonal food is produce that is consumed around the time that is harvested and at its peak, both nutritionally and flavorfully. The best place to get seasonal food is locally. This way your food doesn’t have to travel long distances, which can often mean substantial nutrient loss. When a fruit or vegetable is harvested, it begins to release heat and lose water. This natural process is called respiration, and it dramatically affects the nutritional qualities of the food. If you are not able to get the food you want fresh at the time or think you can’t afford it, it’s best to get it frozen. Frozen fruits and vegetables are picked at their peak of ripeness and frozen quickly to lock in their nutrients and beneficial plant compounds. If you are purchasing fruits and vegetables that come from far away and/or are out of season, these foods are often harvested early to be shipped and distributed. Harvesting early robs those fruits and vegetables of their ability to ripen naturally on their parent plant, which means they will contain less nutrients and won’t taste as good.
So, why eat seasonally? We discussed the health benefits and touched on flavor and freshness, but eating seasonally also helps the environment. By using less energy for artificial light or heat and because local food doesn’t need the same kind of refrigeration or storage, eating seasonally and therefore locally, can help our sweet Earth!
With all that said, you probably want to know where you can get this magic food known as seasonal food. Visit your local farmers’ market, or better yet the farms! Get to know your farmers and growers. Ask them about their practices in raising and harvesting the crops. Tell them you appreciate them. Get involved with a CSA aka Community Supported Agriculture program and support your restaurants and businesses who are committed to seasonal, local food. By purchasing food locally, you support the local economy. Your money stays in your community and helps other local businesses.
In summary, eating seasonal food is more nutritious, healthier, tastier, easier on the earth, and better for your neighbors. It’s all around better, so maybe the question shouldn’t be why should you be eating seasonally, but more so “Why wouldn’t you?”
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