Seasonal eating is consuming food that has been grown in the same part of the year that it is grown in your locality. Eating produce shipped from across the country or from around the world is okay, but local food is better for you. Health experts agree that there are many benefits of seasonal eating and eating local products.

Personal Story

I enjoy going to the farmer’s market on Saturday mornings. I love going from stand to stand looking at the colorful produce and other items being sold. Just imagine piles of green lettuce, red tomatoes, green peppers, red radishes, purple eggplant, white onions, red strawberries, green apples, and many other fruits and vegetables. I love to buy vegetables picked a few hours ago, take them home, wash them, and fix a fresh dinner with them. The delicious flavors are only some of the many benefits if eating fresh and in season.

The Benefits of Seasonal Eating

Fresh food tastes better than canned, dried, or frozen food. Here are some other benefits:

• Fresh, local food provides better nutritional value.
• Local food usually is cheaper, since there is little transportation cost.
• The food is less likely contain contaminates, as some products from overseas have.

Eating food available during each season is good for everyone.

Local Produce

If we want to eat seasonal food, we need to know where to find local produce in season:

• Your own garden can give a great variety of foods. Using containers or doing square-foot gardening produces a lot of veggies in a little space.
• Farmer’s markets have a wealth of delicious, in season food. Early in the season, one can find marvelous salad greens. These have the benefit of helping the body detox.
• Farm stands are often found along highways at intersections. The growers can have high quality veggies and fruit to buy.
• Farm shares are another way to get great produce in season. When we have done this, we often become acquainted with new veggies we haven’t routinely used in our home. What an adventure to learn to cook these!
• Grocery stores sometimes sell local produce in season that have many health benefits.

Fresh veggies are worth seeking out.

Action Step

Take some time to visit a farmer’s market or a local farmer to get your produce this week.

May God bless your healthful endeavors!

Joni

P.S. Where do you like to buy food in season locally?