Have you visited your local farmers market recently? You might have noticed the range of fresh produce is starting to diminish - blueberries, cherries and watermelon are being replaced by apples, pears and figs. In a few months time, root vegetables such as potato, beetroot and turnip will be in season. Why is it important to know and understand this?

Improved nutrition

We eat food to give our body the nutrients it needs to function. Eating produce when it’s in season means the produce is fresh, which maximises the nutrient content. Vitamins, antioxidants and other key nutrients reduce over time so when food is stored for weeks or even months, these key nutrients our body needs are lost.

Supporting your body’s needs

The food that’s in season is often aligned to the types of nutrients our body’s need at that time. For example Autumn and Winter foods are often higher in vitamin C and are heavier than Summer foods that often have a higher water content.

It tastes better

Have you eaten a tomato straight from the vine? And then had one from the supermarket? They just don’t taste the same. It’s not just the loss of nutrients, but the flavour also changes when food is stored. This changes your palate over time and has us reaching for additional salt and other seasonings to enhance the flavour.

It’s better on the wallet

Food is cheaper when there’s an abundance - that’s usually when it’s in season! Why not cash in on this and use the savings to spoil yourself.

To help you find out what’s in season, check out your local farmers market here, or take a look at the list on Sustainable Table.

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