What's in Season?

appleanna82

How do you know which fruits and vegetables are in season?

TobyTimmyNala

I would say a good rule of thumb would be fruits and veggies that are on sale are probably more in season. Also, I know at my grocery store, items in season are a lot of times displayed in front of the produce section.

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appleanna82

Thanks

HeidiCooksSupper

"In season" has less of an impact than it used to because many vegetables can be transported long distances. If it seems fresh in the produce aisle it is probably in season somewhere and was shipped well. Some supermarkets are good about indicating where the produce comes from -- others not so much. If you want find locally grown items that are in season where you are go to local farmer's markets that sell only local produce.

angerelle

If produce has to be transported a long distance then it's often harvested before its properly ripe. Also varieties that travel well are favoured over those that taste better but are more likely to bruise or break. So, if you eat local food that is in season it's likely to be tastier - and fewer food miles mean a smaller carbon footprint.

sistrsprkl

Do you have a farmers market nearby? Local, in-season produce all year (well maybe not in northern states, I'm in ca

lemurcat12

appleanna82 wrote: »

How do you know which fruits and vegetables are in season?

A good way to learn this is to go to a farmer's market regularly or read about gardening. You start getting excited about new things coming into season when you are gardening or buying locally. The seasons are going to vary depending on where you live.

Where I live, there's not a whole lot in season at the moment.

Here's something that might be interesting: http://healthymeals.nal.usda.gov/features-month/whats-season

lemurcat12

sistrsprkl wrote: »

Local, in-season produce all year (well maybe not in northern states, I'm in ca

Yeah -- our farmer's market in, say, January is basically eggs, meat, dried stuff and canned stuff, grains (possibly ground), stuff like that. I'm a little jealous, but this is why modern agriculture and the ability to buy frozen and things from elsewhere make it a lot easier to eat in a healthful manner in many parts of the country. (I'm in Chicago.)

cwolfman13

http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/what-fruits-and-vegetables-are-in-season

kshama2001

angerelle wrote: »

If produce has to be transported a long distance then it's often harvested before its properly ripe. Also varieties that travel well are favoured over those that taste better but are more likely to bruise or break. So, if you eat local food that is in season it's likely to be tastier - and fewer food miles mean a smaller carbon footprint.

Yes, the bananas I ate in Costa Rica are like ambrosia of the gods compared to bananas available in the supermarket here in Massachusetts. This time of year I don't bother with fresh strawberries and just buy frozen ones, and think longingly of next June, when my garden will explode with them and others will see them on sale in the supermarkets.

My favorite farm stand no longer staffs this time of year and just uses the honor system and a money box. They are down to potatoes, onions, and eggs.

Linzon

During the winter we eat a lot of citrus, winter squash, apples, bananas, and frozen stuff. Our local growing season ended in September.

RodaRose

You can join a CSA to get foods delivered to you: http://www.localharvest.org/csa/

For over 25 years, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) has become a popular way for consumers to buy local, seasonal food directly from a farmer.

Here are the basics: a farmer offers a certain number of "shares" to the public.
Typically the share consists of a box of vegetables, but other farm products may be included.
Interested consumers purchase a share (aka a "membership" or a "subscription") and in return receive a box (bag, basket) of seasonal produce each week throughout the farming season.

This arrangement creates several rewards for both the farmer and the consumer.

Machka9

appleanna82 wrote: »

How do you know which fruits and vegetables are in season?

Whatever the farmers are harvesting at a particular time.


In about 2-3 weeks, for example, cherries will be "in season" because the harvest will start. They are just a touch early this year. Of course, it depends on the variety ... some are early bloomers and some are late.

There are many harvest calendars, but this is one:
http://www.jobs4travellers.com.au/pages/BACKPACKER-HARVEST-JOBS-CALENDAR

This is another ... you can pick the product you're interested in to see when it is in season:
https://jobsearch.gov.au/harvesttrail/townsandcrops.aspx

scolaris

Depends on where you are! Start @ a local farmers market.
Here in No CA we've got all the brassicas like kale, broccoli, cauliflower. Spinach & chard. Winter lettuces that like cooler temps. Gourds and apples that were recently harvested but store well. Pears. Persimmons. Pomegranates. Walnut harvest time too. Potatoes. Carrots & beets. Local lemons are ripe, but will hold on the trees until frost becomes a big issue. Colder weather oranges, like mandarins. Olive harvest just finishing, community press was last weekend.

Lizzy622

In season usually = on sale