Is it Important to Eat in Season?
It is no secret that eating fruits and vegetables creates a balanced diet that fuels our bodies. But let’s go a step further. Consuming fruits and vegetables that are in season offers valuable benefits to individual well-being and our community.
Fresh Taste – In season fruits and vegetables will be at their ripest state full of flavor providing vitamins and minerals. It is easy to get stuck in the rut of buying the same small group of produce each trip to the grocery store. Eating by season helps us explore new options and enhances our palate incorporating a variety of produce in our diets.
Less Spoilage – In season fruits and vegetables last longer and therefore decrease food waste. Out of season fruits and vegetables are sourced from distant climates harvested early in preparation for long travel routes. This can shorten the shelf life of produce due vast changes in temperature during and after transport depleting produce of vital nutrients.
Local Food Systems – Money spent with local farmers stays in the community. Food that can be harvested and distributed locally to restaurants or institutions contributes to job creation, local economic stimulation, and a united community.
Environmental Benefits – Growing food out of season often lends itself to using nonrenewable energy sources or overuse of water. This has a negative impact on our environment.
Cost - Purchasing food directly from Frederick growers removes expenses for intermediary distributors, storage, refrigeration, and travel costs decreasing costs to the consumer.
It can be more difficult during cold, fickle winters that we experience across Frederick and Maryland to buy local fruits and vegetables. Apples, cucumbers, herbs, garlic, lettuces, mushrooms, potatoes, winter squash, sweet potatoes, and tomatoes are great buys this time of year. They are available thanks to proper cold storage from fall harvest through greenhouse production. We understand it is not always possible to local and in-season but encourage it whenever possible to support a healthy lifestyle and a sustainable food system in Frederick that we can all thrive on.
Pictured above: Fresh greens from Frederick, MD growers. Bok Choy & Kale from A Piece of Harmony, Brussels Sprouts from Glade Link Farms, Spinach from Pleasant Hill Produce.