'Tis the Season for Fall Produce

Have you ever thought about the benefits of eating seasonal produce? Seasonal produce is beautiful to admire, and even better to eat! Between the burst of flavor, the nutrient profile, the price, and benefits to the environment, you can't go wrong eating fresh, seasonal produce that's local and delicious! Read on to find out about all of the benefits and reasons to find your local farmer's market today!

Taste & Nutrition

Seasonal fruits and vegetables just taste better, often with more flavor and freshness than out-of-season produce you can purchase at the store. Why? These fruits and veggies are picked at their peak ripeness and don't have to travel across the country to get to your plate. This doesn’t just mean good flavor; it also means you're eating more nutrients - including all-important antioxidants that help lower your risk of disease.

Price & Access

The availability of many fruits and vegetables can be greater if they’re in season. This can allow you to obtain fresh fruits and vegetables at lower prices when the supply is high. If you have a local farmer’s market or visit the grocery store where local produce is abundant, prices may be more affordable for specific fruits and vegetables during their harvest seasons. Think squash, apples, pears, and carrots this time of year!

Good for the Environment

Consuming seasonal produce can also help the environment. By consuming produce grown within their seasons, you decrease the carbon footprint of these items. Produce grown out of season may require the use of greenhouses to grow and ripen them, as well as frozen storage. These items may then need to be shipped to other countries or stores to be sold. All of these steps require higher amounts of energy and carbon emissions. By eating produce in season and locally, you limit these factors greatly while also supporting the local farming community.

Remember: Fresh, Frozen, Dried, and Canned Produce are A-OK

Whether fruit and veggies are frozen or fresh, any type can be a part of a healthy diet. Sometimes frozen vegetables can be more nutritionally dense as they’re frozen when they’re in peak condition, locking in all the nutrients. Eating seasonally simply provides you lower-cost and high-nutrient produce when it's local. Use the simple 2211 Plan found in Eat Move Groove: Unlock the Simple Steps to Lifelong Nutrition, Fitness & Wellness to boost your produce intake every day. More produce = better health and well-being!

What’s in Season? 

How do I know what’s in season? Visit your local farmer's market to see what’s in season and connect with the community. However, if you don’t have a local market near you, here’s a general list of what’s available every season.

Fall	Winter	Spring	Summer
Bananas  Beets  Broccoli Cranberries  Kale  Lettuce  Pears  Potatoes  Pumpkins  Turnips	Avocados  Bananas  Brussel sprouts  Celery  Collard greens  Lemon  Limes  Turnips Winter squash	Apricots  Asparagus  Avocados  Blackberries  Collard greens  Kiwi  Lemons  Lettuce  Spinach  Strawberries	Avocados  Bell peppers  Blueberries  Blackberries Carrots  Corn  Cucumbers  Eggplant  Lima beans  Okra  Peaches  Summer squash