Eating seasonally simply means eating foods as close to their growing season as possible. Strawberries in spring, peppers in summer, and brussel sprouts in the fall. In the winter that means eating lots of veggies that are good for long term storage like root vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, cabbage, and squash.
Seasonal food is fresher, tastier and more nutritious. With endless options in the grocery store, we’ve become used to seasonless eating. Grocery store produce is usually picked before it has fully ripened, allowing for time in transit and sitting on store shelves. But studies have shown that fruits and vegetables contain more nutrients when allowed to ripen naturally.
Why is seasonal eating important?
Eating seasonally is better for your health and better for your community. It means sourcing ingredients as fresh and as locally as possible. Purchasing locally grown foods helps support local farms and the local economy. In addition, food grown locally, processed locally and distributed locally generates jobs and subsequently helps stimulate local economies.
How can you eat more seasonally?
You don’t have to go all or nothing to get the benefits of seasonal foods, incorporating as much as you are able to is sure to benefit your nutrient intake. Shopping for produce at farmers markets is a surefire way to know your food is in season. For a trustworthy source of what’s local at your grocery store, try The Farmer’s Almanac or Seasonal Food Guide.
And don’t think you have to give up your favorite fruits and veggies just because they are out of season. Frozen crops are often flash frozen at peak ripeness to hold on to the most flavor and nutrients possible.
At mademeals we update our menu every regularly based on availability from our local suppliers. By building our menus around crop rotations that work best for farmers and supporting responsible growing practices, we help support the replenishment of farm soil while reducing reliance on pesticides and fertilizers. Healthy, mindful eating that’s good for our community and the environment is made simple with mademeals.