Seasonal eating simply means eating produce that is harvested during that specific season. Eating in seasons comes with many benefits, both for you and the environment.
"Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influence of the Earth." - Henry David Thoreau, Walden
Seasonal eating is a simple concept that involves eating foods that are in season during a particular time of the year. It's an approach to food that has been gaining popularity in recent years due to its numerous benefits for both our health and the environment.
When we eat seasonally, we are consuming foods that are naturally available during a particular time of the year. These foods are often fresher, more flavorful, and more nutritious than their out-of-season counterparts. This is because they are grown and harvested at their optimal time, when they are at their peak in terms of flavor and nutritional value.
Hundreds of years ago seasonal eating was simply eating what was ripe, on hand and ready to go. Today, many of us assume that the foods we want will be available all the time (as seen in most grocery stores) and this stops us from changing up our grocery shopping and meal planning resulting in the same nutrients being taken in and possible deficiencies in others.
We have become accustomed to "seasonless eating". Industrial agriculture has made it possible to eat more fruits and vegetables year-round by growing them in green houses, keeping them in cold storage for an extended period without spoil. or harvesting fruits before they are ripe. This produce is then stored for longer periods and artificially ripened to be eaten at any time of the year. However, this comes at a cost as they are less flavourful and nutritious.
Seasonal Eating Benefits
1) Nutritional benefits:
Seasonal foods are generally fresher and more nutritious than foods that have been transported from other regions or countries. Fruits and vegetables that are grown in-season contain higher levels of nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
- Freshness: Seasonal produce is often harvested and consumed within a shorter
period of time, which means that it is generally fresher than
produce that has been transported from other regions or countries
- Diversity: Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables that are in season can help
ensure that you are getting a diverse range of nutrients in your diet.
Different fruits and vegetables contain different vitamins, minerals,
and antioxidants, so by eating a range of seasonal produce, this
ensures a balanced and diverse diet, that can improve overall health
and well-being.
- Availability: Seasonal produce is often more widely available and affordable
then produce that is out of season. This means that it is easier to
incorporate into your diet on a regular basis.
- Taste: Seasonal produce is often picked at the peak of ripeness, which means
that it is more flavorful and enjoyable to eat. This can help encourage
people to eat more fruits and vegetables, which can in turn lead to
better nutrition and health outcomes.
2) Environmental benefits:
Seasonal eating offers numerous environmental benefits. By consuming foods
that are in season and grown locally, we reduce the carbon footprint
associated with transportation, storage, and packaging of food. This helps to
lower greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change.
Additionally, seasonal eating can support sustainable agriculture practices by
promoting crop diversity and reducing reliance on intensive farming methods.
This can help to preserve soil health, conserve water resources, and protect
biodiversity. Furthermore, eating locally produced foods supports local
farmers and communities, promoting a more resilient food system. Overall,
seasonal eating is a simple but effective way to reduce our environmental
impact while enjoying fresh, healthy, and delicious foods.
3) Supports local farmers:
When consumers choose to eat seasonal produce, they often purchase
directly from local farmers or farmers' markets, which allows farmers to sell
their produce at a fair price without having to go through intermediaries or
distributors. This helps to support the livelihoods of local farmers and
encourages them to continue growing and selling their products.
Furthermore, when consumers demand seasonal produce, it creates a market
for local farmers, which encourages them to grow a wider variety of crops and
to produce more of the foods that are in season. This helps to support local
agriculture and ensures that farmers are able to continue to grow and sell their
products. In addition, when farmers are able to sell their produce directly to consumers,
it reduces the amount of food waste that occurs during transportation and
storage. This helps to improve the sustainability of local agriculture and
reduces the environmental impact of food production.
4) Economic benefits:
Eating in-season foods can support local farmers and small-scale food
producers, as it encourages consumers to buy food that is locally sourced and
in-season. This can help to create a more sustainable and resilient local food
system, as it reduces the reliance on imported food and large-scale
agribusiness. Additionally, seasonal produce is often less expensive as it does
not require long-distance transportation or storage, which can lead to cost
savings for both producers and consumers.
If you're interested in trying seasonal eating, here are a few ways to help you get started.
How to Start Eating Seasonally
Learn Each Season's Produce:
SPRING
FRUITS | VEGETABLES |
Apples, apricots, avocado | Artichoke, asparagus, aubergine |
Bananas | Baby marrow, beans, beetroot, broccoli, brussel sprouts |
Cape gooseberries, cherries, coconut | Cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, corn, cucumber |
Dates | Kale |
Grapefruit, guavas | Leeks, lettuce, |
Lemons, limes | Parsnips, peas, potatoes, pumpkin squash |
Mango | Radishes, red onion |
Naartjies, nectarine | Spinach |
Orange | Turnip |
Paw paw (papaya), pears, pineapple | |
Rhubarb | |
Melon (cantaloup) | |
Watermelon | |
SUMMER
FRUITS | VEGETABLES |
Apricots, apples | Artichoke, asparagus |
Bananas, berries (blackberries, blueberries, raspberries) | Beetroot, brinjal |
Cherries | Cabbage, carrots, celery, corn, courgette, cucumber |
Figs | Green beans |
Grapes, guavas | Patty pans, sweet peppers, pumpkin squash |
Kiwi fruit | Radishes, red onion |
Lemons, litchi | Tomatoes |
Mango, melon | Spinach, sweet potato |
Nectarines | |
Papaya, peaches, pineapples, plums, prunes | |
Watermelon | |
AUTUMN
FRUITS | VEGETABLES |
Apples, avocado | Beetroot, broccoli, butternut, Brussel sprouts |
Figs | Cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, corn, courgette, cucumber |
Granadilla, grapefruit, grapes, guava | Eggplant |
Lemons | Green beans |
Naartjies | Mushrooms |
Oranges | Parsnips, peas, potatoes, pumpkin |
Papaya, pear, pineapple | Radishes |
Quinces | Spinach, sweet peppers, sweet potatoes |
| Tomatoes, turnip |
| Zucchini |
WINTER
FRUITS | VEGETABLES |
Apple | Beetroot, broadbeans, broccoli, brussel spouts, butternut squash |
Dates | Cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celeriac, celery |
Grapefruit | Parsnips, peas, peppers, potatoes, pumpkin |
Kiwi fruit | Spinach, spring onions, squash, sweet potato |
Lemons, limes | Waterblommetjie |
Melon | |
Naartjie | |
Oranges | |
Papaya, pears, pineapple | |
2. Pick your favourites
3. Find a place to buy your produce
Finding a farmers market near you is easier than ever, thanks to the internet. One of the easiest ways to locate a farmers market is to search online using keywords such as "farmers market near me" or "local farmers market." This will bring up a list of farmers markets in your area, along with their location, hours of operation, and other relevant information. Alternatively, you can ask around at local health and natural foods stores or look for healthy food pages on social media.
4. Supplement this produce into your diet and lifestyle
To ease farmers produce into your diet, start by incorporating more fresh fruits and vegetables into your meals. Try to plan your meals around the produce you have on hand. This will help you make the most of what is in season and reduce waste. If you find yourself with more produce then you use, consider freezing or preserving it for later use.
5. Get creative in the kitchen
Experiment with new recipes that feature seasonal ingredients, and try to incorporate a variety of fruits and vegetables into your meals. You might be surprised at how much flavor and variety you can find in seasonal foods. There are plenty of recipes available online that can help inspire you to cook with the fresh produce you have bought. Remember to have fun, be creative and keep it simple as fresh produce often has a delicious natural flavour that can be enhanced with the addition of simple herbs and spices.
Seasonal eating is a simple but powerful way to improve your health, support local farmers, and reduce your impact on the environment. By embracing this approach to food, you can discover new flavors and connect more deeply with the natural world around you. So why not give it a try and see what benefits you can experience from eating seasonally?