Seasonal Eating

Eating seasonally simply means a diet consisting of the freshest, local foods available. It is enjoying foods at the height of their natural harvest time. These foods are the healthiest because they are in season and, more importantly, environmental and nutritional damage isn’t caused by shipping foods thousands of miles. Purchasing local foods in-season also means supporting the local farmer and a commitment to community. It is a way to connect with the farmers and find out more about where your food is coming from and how it is harvested. It is free of harmful chemicals and by-products. For recipes click here.

Helping the environment

Fruits and vegetables can be defined by what is called "food miles". This means the distance food travels from where it is produced to where it is consumed. Eating a diet of seasonal foods limits the negative affects on our environment such as pollution and energy consumption. In the same sense, if the "food miles" are limited, the food is fresher. Fresh foods taste the best and retain the most nutritional and health benefits. This is obviously the case with fruits and vegetables. They are often picked well before they are ripe so that they can withstand the long journeys they have to market. Quality really suffers from "food miles".

Helping your neighbors

Eating a diet of seasonal foods means spending money with local farms. This keeps money in the community and helps the farmers keep farming. It will ensure we protect open spaces and farmland and reduce development on valuable land needed to farm. It helps to form a bond with local farmers,who have the best information about the foods they grow and how to enjoy them. Buying seasonal produce provides an exciting opportunity to try new foods and to experiment with seasonal recipes. Each month, The Friendly Market will provide recipes using produce in season and available in our area.