What foods are in season?
There's been a growing consciousness around food for some time now in the U.S. People are choosing to explore vegetarian and vegan eating, learning about the benefits of organic food, and exploring the relationship of food to health in a much deeper way.
But no matter what dietary road you choose to go down, one that seems to be important eating locally. For many this is a choice to help support the local economy and local farmers, while for others it is an environmentally-drive decision that has a lot to do with saving fuel. For others, though, it just feels better to buy food that you know comes from nearby where you live.
Whatever your reasons, if you're going to eat locally, that means eating what's in season. But, do you even know what's in season? Most of us don't. We've been brought up in a world where everything is available all the time in super-markets. If you're beginning your journey into eating seasonally, here are a few ways to get started.
Farmers markets: At this point, there is bound to be a farmers market nearby where you live. You can start your search on the USDA directory of Farmers Markets. They have thousands of listings from around the country. When you get there, you can be sure whatever is being sold is in season!
Deep research: For a regional guide to what's in season wherever you live in the USA, check out this reference gold mine on Field to Plate. This helps personalize the question of what's in season, as it varies from region to region by weather, climate and what has been able to survive over the years.
Start simple: If the national guide is a bit too much for you to handle at the beginning, Eating Bird Food has a good general guide for seasonal vegetables no matter where you live in the U.S.
Image courtesy of Vegan Feast Catering