Seasonal foods are fruits and vegetables that are selected near their harvest time when they are ripe. You may have noticed that at different times of the year, in specific seasons, is the only time certain fruits and vegetables are available.

According to the definition adopted by the U.S. Congress in the 2008 Food, Conservation, and Energy Act (2008 Farm Act), local eating is more technically defined as, the total distance that a product can be transported and still be considered a “locally or regionally produced agricultural food product” is less than 400 miles from its origin, or within the State in which it is produced.

As a general rule, to accomplish local eating one can purchase and consume foods grown closest to their residence. If you don’t live near a community garden, head to your nearest farmers’ market.

Eating locally grown foods seasonally is beneficial for many reasons which include but are not limited to:

• Flavors are enhanced due to reduced travel and elimination of chemical treatments that aid in preservation during travel. Fresher is not only healthier, but it also tastes better.
• It is cost effective. Local farmers markets often offer very competitive prices for fresh, local products.
• It is a great way to build community. You can strengthen your local economy by supporting local farmers, markets, food movements, food co-ops, and business owners.
• It is nutritious and helps with keeping a healthy lifestyle. Eating foods in season allow for foods to ripen naturally reducing chemical modifications which alter the integrity of the nutrients.
• You are able to know the source of your food and how your food was grown.

Eating seasonally, locally does not have to be difficult nor inconvenient. With a little research and planning, you will be well on your way.

• Start with getting to know your local growing seasons. You can do this by using any of the resources I have listed below such as https://www.localharvest.org .
• Plan your meal calendar and/or meal prep with meals mostly using seasonal foods.

There you have it. To help with eating local, seasonal foods and meal planning, I have highlighted some resources.

1. Seasonal Food Guide https://www.seasonalfoodguide.org/
2. Seasons of Eating Infographic https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/add-color/seasons-of-eating-infographic
3. Seasonal Produce Guide https://snaped.fns.usda.gov/seasonal-produce-guide
4. Local Food Directories: National Farmers Market Directory https://www.ams.usda.gov/local-food-directories/farmersmarkets
5. Local Harvest website’s search tool https://www.localharvest.org/food-coops/
   1. This website not only allows you to search food co-ops in your area but also farmers’ markets. Their directory provides up-to-date information at the local and regional level which I think is great for planning trips beyond simple grocery shopping. If you are like me, exploring as many unique farmers’ markets throughout the year as possible is therapeutically recreational. The directory lists over 40,000 family farms and farmers’ markets, along with restaurants and grocery stores that feature local food.
6. I also found a great supporting article about the benefits of food co-ops. Check it out here What Is a Food Co-Op and Why Should You Support One? | Real Simple

The last thing you might want to consider is preservation. Think about learning how to preserve and store some seasonal foods, especially as the seasons change. Canning, jarring, and freezing are storage processes to consider. Specific foods may be better preserved via one process versus the other. That would be an aspect to research. Bear in mind that depending on the preservation process, the food may present in taste and texture differently preserved than when it was fresh. Take berries for example, and two different preservation processes. Frozen berries will taste differently from jarred berries. Also, the berries will be used differently based on how they were preserved which can be cool and opens a world of diverse recipes to explore.

Eating foods that are in season is beneficial in that you are consuming foods that have naturally ripened therefore increasing the availability of the nutrients. Consuming foods in the proper season also enhances the flavor of those foods due to the reduction in chemical interference. The opportunities to explore new dishes and recipes increase as well. Eating seasonally naturally diversifies your diet and nutrient consumption with ease. So basically, eat close to home.