As seasons change, so does the market of produce. Peach season fades out as corn, pumpkins, and squash ripen. Oranges hang as they grow, patiently waiting their turn.
This is the beauty of the Earth’s natural clock. “Wait,” you say, “But I’ve eaten a perfectly fine strawberry in the middle of winter and pomegranate in June.” You probably didn’t read the label for that fruit, but chances are it came from California or Mexico, or maybe Florida. Chances are it traveled hundreds or thousands of miles to get to your plate. This not only means that the nutrients were less beneficial to your body than if it was grown and consumed in the proper season, but the emissions or “food miles” produced getting it to your plate were excessive. It’s likely that synthetic fertilizers and pesticides were used in the production of your produce too, but that’s another story.
While reducing meat and dairy consumption is the biggest way to reduce the ecological footprint of our diets, buying locally, in season, and organic is another step in the right direction.
For ideas of what to include in your diet, you can visit the seasonal food guide
After reading up and checking your grocery list, be sure to make it out to this year’s last Cache Valley Gardener’s Market this Saturday from 9-1.
by Sarah Powell