As a California girl, enjoying fresh produce is in my DNA! I had the luxury of a father with the world’s GREENEST THUMB. He can grow anything, and to this day he has an acre of the most delicious fruits and vegetables right in our backyard. There is nothing like a peach right off the tree, strawberries from the vine or a head of fresh broccoli. One of the things I miss most about California now that I reside in Texas is fresh produce – both the amount and diversity of it. I had honestly just about given up on seasonal farmers market eating when I moved back to Texas three years ago, thinking I would never find that variety or flavor again. Well, thankfully I was wrong, and ironically enough, it was the COVID-19 Pandemic that changed my thinking. My husband and I made the decision that we would buy as much as we could from local farmers and ranchers. Yes, they benefited from our support, but I think we probably benefited more. We discovered a local restaurant that had started a “virtual” farmers market! It is incredible! And it was just the reset we needed to reintroduce farm-fresh produce back to our meals.
Benefits of Seasonal Eating:
More nutrients
Studies have shown that seasonal, locally sourced produce has higher vitamin concentrations. There are many reasons for this. Local, seasonal produce requires less pesticides, chemicals, additives and waxes compared to mass-produced items that have to travel long distances to the consumer.
Supports your Microbiome
You may have heard that word before “microbiome.” The microbiome is the bacteria in your gut known as the “good bacteria.” The microbiome has become a significant topic over the recent years in the medical field as there has been increasing evidence regarding the role of the microbiome in every aspect of health and wellness such as immunity, blood sugar balance, weight management, skin health, bowel health and mental health. Variations in diet throughout the year feeds the good bacteria.
It just tastes better
Mass produced items are often picked before they are actually ripe in order to sustain the long distances needed to travel. When you buy local and in-season, the produce is often just picked capturing the most flavor.
Kinder on the wallet
Think of the supply and demand theory here. When produce is in season there is more of it, which leads to a lower price if we assume annual demand is about constant. Take it from someone who has to buy strawberries throughout the year to please my son… I cringe in the winter months when I see the bill!
Support local
There is no time like the present to shop local and reinforce the local community. In the recent months we have seen the imbalance in the food supply – item shortages like pork & chicken while at the same time farmers with surplus produce, dairy, and other meats without a place to go. Reach out to your local farmers and ranchers and continue to support them. There is something very special about knowing where your food is coming from!
Help the environment
Reduce the effects of transporting items, emissions, pesticides, herbicides, food waste
Get Started:
- Join a CSA
- Find a farmer’s market
- Plant your own garden
- Check out this fun website that tells you which items you may be able to find locally: https://www.seasonalfoodguide.org/why-eat-seasonally-
- USDA Seasonal Produce List: https://snaped.fns.usda.gov/seasonal-produce-guide
