You’ve probably heard the term “seasonal produce,” but what does that mean? Seasonal produce is bought and consumed close to the time that it is harvested. For example, you wouldn’t buy sweet corn in January in Wisconsin, because it’s harvested from July through September. On the other hand, turnips would be a great choice because they’re harvested in December.
Some produce, although not in its harvest season, is available from storage. Many types of vegetables have a long shelf life when stored in the right conditions. Potatoes, for example, are harvested from mid-June through the end of October but can be stored and purchased all throughout the year.
So, why buy seasonal produce? Buying produce that is not in season in your area means it had to come from somewhere else. This can mean it had to travel across the country to get to your local grocery store, losing some of its freshness, flavor, and nutrient composition. For example, when buying strawberries in January in Wisconsin, they likely came from some place warm, like Florida or California. This can mean higher environmental impact and less stimulation of local economies. Of course, there are some fruits and vegetables that will just never be seasonal to some places, like avocados or grapefruit in Wisconsin! Buying some produce, even when not seasonal, lets you have some tasty and nutritious fruits and vegetables year found.
How can you know what’s seasonal in your area? There are many online resources, like this calendar of seasonal produce in Wisconsin. You can also attend local farmers markets in summer and chat with the vendors; some of these happen even in winter! So check your grocery store and your farmers markets, eat well and be well.
For tips on how to prepare and select some of these foods, see these Fruit and Veggie Fact Sheets.