Shopping Seasonally this winter!

Even though winter is not typically known for produce, there are still many winter vegetables and fruits that you can buy at the grocery store. Prioritizing shopping for produce that is in season is known as shopping seasonally. This means that whatever is currently in season is what you are buying and cooking in your kitchen. Shopping seasonally helps save money, reduce your environmental impact, ensure you are getting the freshest produce and supports local farmers.

Buying seasonal produce supports the farmers who are growing during the winter because it creates demand for what they are producing. Out of season produce like, watermelon and blueberries can be shipped from California or even Central America but increases how much energy, time and labor that is going into brining this produce to the store. If you buy vegetables and fruits that are in season mostly likely it is coming from farms closer to your house which means less energy is being used to transport it. This can reduce the impact your food as on the environment. Also, food that has to travel farther distances during "off season" typically is priced higher because it is harder to get.

Watermelon is a fruit that demonstrates these ideas perfectly. We've all had watermelon in the summer when it tastes fresh, sweet and juicy. This is because watermelon is a summer crop and is being harvested from late May through July. During the summer watermelon is cheap and plentiful, which makes going to the store and seeing all the watermelon such a treat! But as months pass and we slowly creep into winter there is less watermelon available. The fruit that is left is overpriced, and isn't as fresh. On top of that, it doesn't even compare to the taste of a summer watermelon. In the winter watermelon has to travel farther distances to get to the store which reduces its quality, increases its price and increases its environmental impact. This is why shopping seasonally is so valuable!

Right now there are many delicious cold hardy vegetables like potatoes, onions and sweet potatoes to purchase. Knowing what is in season when you go to the store is a great way to reduce your grocery bill and may even give you the chance to cook with a new fruit or vegetable. Check out our guide on what is currently in season! In Season this Winter Guide!