I have a post that touches on this topic already but I wanted to dive a little deeper. We have become a culture of convenience. There isn't a second thought about getting strawberries or tomatoes in the winter or pears in the summer. The American population demanded this type of selection so big business supplied it. But is it right? Do those strawberries in the winter look or taste as good? I highly doubt it and even if they did, where do you think they came from? Somewhere in South America I suppose where our winters are their summers. The amount of fossil fuel it takes to get that produce into our grocery store is unimaginable. Its definitely more than the cost we pay for the fruit itself. So if the price doesn't reflect the actual cost of getting it into our hands off season then who is paying? The environment. Every time we waste fossil fuels we are depleting a finite natural resource and adding to climate change. These fruits and veggies coming from South America are shipped in special cooling units to keep them as fresh as possible and this way of air travel is extremely energy intensive and expensive.
In California they grow a lot of "out-of season" produce but they do so in heated greenhouses which deplete a lot of energy. They also use much more water to irrigate than would be necessary if it were just grown in season. This not only depletes energy but also depletes water which as you must know is also become a scarce resource - especially in the west. We live in a new world. We must conserve if we expect to live without some detrimental impact on our future. Eating in season is just one of the many ways to make this change. Its not about us as individuals anymore.
If summer fruits and vegetables are so important to your diet that you can't live without, there are more "ethical" ways around this. Simply freezing what you want to eat in the winter can suffice. Frozen fruits and veggies keep really well. There are winter varieties of the same fruits and veggies that seem to grow better in colder climates. Long keeping tomatoes are one type. You can grow them at home or look for them at your farmers market. Most likely your farmers market will offer only whats in season but you can ask about winter varieties of summer produce.
Eating a seasonal diet means different things, depending on which part of the world you live in. By adding seasonal foods to your plate, you ensure that you are getting essential vitamins and minerals including important antioxidants that protect the body from disease. This is the way our ancestors ate for thousands of years. Its only been recent (last 40 years) that advanced industrialization has allowed us to eat whatever we want whenever we want. Besides being unhealthy, its also boring. We tend to eat whatever our favorite is and never waver. Eating seasonally forces us to get the variety we need in our bodies.
The best way to incorporate seasonal eating into your life is to join a community supported agriculture group (CSA). These local groups purchase a portion of a small farm's produce before the season begins. By becoming a member and paying a fee you get fresh produce right off the farm delivered to a local pick up spot once a week! The variety of fruits and vegetables you get depends on where you live and what the farm grows. An added bonus is not knowing what you will receive and simply getting an opportunity to try something new. The only guarantee with becoming part of a CSA is that you will have a steady supply of fresh, nutrient dense produce from late spring until early winter. You also get the opportunity to meet other people in your community who have the same interest in creating a happier and healthier planet and lifestyle through supporting local farmers and organic farming. The Weston A. Price Foundation, http://www.westonaprice.org/ can help you find a farm that offers this in your area.
Please see the attached annual harvest calendar for information on whats in season throughout the year. This calendar is specific for Georgia (where I live) but I can help you find a local one for your area if you email me. I don't think it will change significantly for areas like New York but there may be some variations in duration of specific fruits or veggies. http://www.peachtreeroadfarmersmarket.com/pdfs/georgiaharvestcalendar.pdf
In California they grow a lot of "out-of season" produce but they do so in heated greenhouses which deplete a lot of energy. They also use much more water to irrigate than would be necessary if it were just grown in season. This not only depletes energy but also depletes water which as you must know is also become a scarce resource - especially in the west. We live in a new world. We must conserve if we expect to live without some detrimental impact on our future. Eating in season is just one of the many ways to make this change. Its not about us as individuals anymore.
If summer fruits and vegetables are so important to your diet that you can't live without, there are more "ethical" ways around this. Simply freezing what you want to eat in the winter can suffice. Frozen fruits and veggies keep really well. There are winter varieties of the same fruits and veggies that seem to grow better in colder climates. Long keeping tomatoes are one type. You can grow them at home or look for them at your farmers market. Most likely your farmers market will offer only whats in season but you can ask about winter varieties of summer produce.
Eating a seasonal diet means different things, depending on which part of the world you live in. By adding seasonal foods to your plate, you ensure that you are getting essential vitamins and minerals including important antioxidants that protect the body from disease. This is the way our ancestors ate for thousands of years. Its only been recent (last 40 years) that advanced industrialization has allowed us to eat whatever we want whenever we want. Besides being unhealthy, its also boring. We tend to eat whatever our favorite is and never waver. Eating seasonally forces us to get the variety we need in our bodies.
The best way to incorporate seasonal eating into your life is to join a community supported agriculture group (CSA). These local groups purchase a portion of a small farm's produce before the season begins. By becoming a member and paying a fee you get fresh produce right off the farm delivered to a local pick up spot once a week! The variety of fruits and vegetables you get depends on where you live and what the farm grows. An added bonus is not knowing what you will receive and simply getting an opportunity to try something new. The only guarantee with becoming part of a CSA is that you will have a steady supply of fresh, nutrient dense produce from late spring until early winter. You also get the opportunity to meet other people in your community who have the same interest in creating a happier and healthier planet and lifestyle through supporting local farmers and organic farming. The Weston A. Price Foundation, http://www.westonaprice.org/ can help you find a farm that offers this in your area.
Please see the attached annual harvest calendar for information on whats in season throughout the year. This calendar is specific for Georgia (where I live) but I can help you find a local one for your area if you email me. I don't think it will change significantly for areas like New York but there may be some variations in duration of specific fruits or veggies. http://www.peachtreeroadfarmersmarket.com/pdfs/georgiaharvestcalendar.pdf
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