So why should you buy and eat locally grown food? I’m not going to get on my soapbox and preach to you, I just know that I do it as often as I can, and I rather like it. There is the argument that living closer to the source means that the food is fresher, not to mention that buying local is also good for your local economy helping family farmers stay in business.
Some may argue that this is just a trend, if so, I reckon it to be a great one. There are hundreds of farmer’s markets popping up in dense urban landscapes and beyond. The chance to interact with the grower is something these regions were sorely lacking – it’s an education for the buyer and a source of income for the farmer. In the short time i’ve bought local i’ve learned new and exciting ways to cook veggies I previously just ‘steamed’ as well as ‘discovered’ fruit and veg I never knew existed. It enriches your mind and body – you can’t put a price on that!
Below are charts of what’s in season across the USA – check back each season for updates.
East Coast
Northern States { NE to Virginia }:
January: cabbage / carrots / celery / lettuce / onion / potatoes / rutabaga / squash / turnips
February: as above + apples / beets
March: all the above + spinach
Southern States { N. Caroline to Florida }:
January: avocados / apples / broccoli / cabbage / carrots / cauliflower / celery / corn / cucumbers / eggplant / grapefruit / mushrooms / okra / onions / oranges / potatoes / radishes / sweet potatoes / squash / strawberries / tomatoes
February: as above
March: as above + cauliflower / cantaloupe / oranges / scallions
West Coast
Northern States { PNW }:
January: apples / carrots / mushrooms / onions / potatoes / rhubarb / squash
February: as above
March: as above
Southern States { California }:
January: apples / asparagus / avocados / beets / bok choy / broccoli / cabbage / carrots / cauliflower / celery / fennel / grapefruit / kale / lettuce / mushrooms / okra / onions / oranges / pears / pistachios / potatoes / radishes / rutabaga / scallions / spinach / strawberries / tomatoes / turnips
February: as above + brussell sprouts
March : as above – pears
MidWest
Northern States { Montana to Colorado }:
January: apples / carrots / onions / potatoes
February: as above
March: as above
Southern States { New Mexico to Texas } :
January: beets / broccoli / cabbage / carrots / cauliflower / celery / grapefruit / mushrooms / lettuce / onions / oranges / pecans / radishes / spinach / squash / sweet potatoes / turnips / tomatoes
February: as above + asparagus / peas
March : as above + strawberries
info sourced from the NRDC’s simple steps
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