What's in Season?

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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"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.

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

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.)

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.

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.

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.