Small Changes For Health

Buying seasonal produce is not only a smart change to make for your health, but also a smart change to make for the environment.  Buying produce when it is in season means that you will be buying produce that is at its peak of ripeness and freshness; thus it should taste its best.  Seasonal produce is also better for you.  Generally seasonal produce is often local produce too, and therefore only has to travel a short distance to reach you at the grocery store.  Produce that has to travel thousands of miles to the grocery store, is often picked weeks before you buy it at the store and in that time important nutrients (vitamins and minerals) can be lost.  In addition to seasonal produce being better for you, it is also better for the environment.  Eating seasonally can vastly decrease your foods carbon footprint.

Your small change: This week, buy at least one seasonal fruit or vegetable at the grocery store.

More Information

You may think that in the cold winter months there is no seasonal produce available.  This is simply not true because every fruit and vegetable has its season.  Though you may not be able to buy local produce grown (from Missouri or Illinois) in the dead of winter, you can buy produce that is grown in California and Florida.  Buying produce grown in the United States may still have to travel a great distance, but the last time I checked California was closer than Chile.  So even if not exactly produced in your home state, there are still seasonal choices that can be made in every season.  For a seasonal produce guide check out this cool tool at Epicurios.com.

You can also check out this great harvest calendar from the Missouri Farmer’s Market Directory.