How to Eat Seasonally and Why it's Important

Do you ever wonder where your food comes from or how it ends up on your plate? One way to have a more sustainable and mindful relationship with your food is to eat seasonally. Eating seasonally means consuming foods that are grown and harvested during their natural season, rather than being imported from other countries or grown unnaturally. Not only is eating seasonally better for the environment and local economy, but it's also healthier and more exciting for your taste buds. Here's a beginner's guide on how to eat seasonally and why it's important.


Understand what's in season: The first step to eating seasonally is to be aware of what's in season in your area. You can research which fruits and vegetables are being harvested locally during each season, or you can simply shop for produce at your local farmers' market. Typically, summer offers a wide array of berries and cucumbers, fall brings squash and apples, winter heralds greens and citrus, and spring ushers in peas and asparagus. Eating seasonally means enjoying the natural flavors and nutritional benefits of each product and feeling more connected to the land and seasonality.

Get creative with recipes: Eating seasonally challenges you to be more creative in the kitchen. When you focus on ingredients that are in season, you expand your culinary horizons and try new dishes that you may not have previously considered. For example, you could roast root vegetables in the winter or whip up a light and refreshing watermelon salad in the summer. By cooking seasonally and locally, you also support small businesses and producers in your community, which strengthens the local economy.

Enjoy more nutritious meals: Eating seasonally also means that you're consuming fresher and more nutritious food. Since produce that's in season is typically grown and harvested locally, it doesn't need to travel far to get to your table. As a result, it's usually picked at its peak ripeness and contains more nutrients than food that's transported from other regions or grown in ways that aren't natural.

Reduce your carbon footprint: Another great reason to eat seasonally is that it's better for the environment. Food that's shipped from other countries or grown unnaturally requires significant amounts of energy and resources. However, food that's grown and harvested locally and sustainably has a much lower carbon footprint since it doesn't need to travel far or use as many resources.

Experiment with preserving techniques: Finally, eating seasonally encourages you to try preserving foods during their peak season. When you have an excess of produce that's in season, you can pickle, jam, ferment, or freeze it to enjoy later in the year. Preserving foods allows you to enjoy seasonal flavors year-round while reducing waste and supporting your local food system.

Eating seasonally is about more than just what you put on your plate. It's a way to connect with the land, your community, and your own health. By eating seasonal produce you get more varied, nutritious, and tasty meals that come with the added benefit of a low carbon footprint. Shopping in-season directly from local farmers can also reduce packaging and preserve the bountiful flavors of nature. Eating in-season becomes a nutritious as well as a sustainable decision – something that is becoming essential in today’s world. Try out these tips and recipes to start eating seasonally, and soon you'll appreciate the natural bounty of your area and the pleasure that comes with being connected with the seasons.

xoxo, Melissa