Seasonal Eating Trends

Just like fashion, we need to adapt our food choices to the changing seasons. If you’ve read my articles before you know I am a huge proponent of eating locally and farm to table so this is dictated by where you live and what is currently grown this time of year.

Farmer’s markets are at their prime with all that great fall fare to create the multitude of Comfort Foods like soups, stews and casseroles synonymous with autumn. But if you feel hitting the farmer’s markets is just one more errand to add to your list, here are some other reasons to shop locally AND to buy “in-season” foods:

• Fresher and better flavor – the produce is allowed to ripen longer on the vine with less time between picking and eating
• Better for the environment – decreased environmental impact of transporting foods over shorter distance vs across country or overseas
• Supporting your local economy and farmers
• Less expensive

If you can’t make it to a Market, focus on the seasonal foods in your local grocery store for many of the same reasons. This website lets you know which fruits and veg are currently in season where you live.

Click this link, which is updated weekly to give you a comprehensive list of up to date, in-season foods from fruits and veg, nuts, meat, fish and seafood. Or if you want to check a particular food, go to the food index to learn the best months to eat it along with a variety of recipes specific to that food.

For on the go and travelers you can download the iphone app “Seasons” that tells you what produce is in season in the US, Canada and the UK. It also can provide info on nearby Farmer’s markets in the US, Australia and the UK.