Eating Locally & Seasonal

We live in a time where we can get almost any kind of produce we want, anytime of the year. This isn’t necessarily a good thing, as much of this produce is shipped overseas and it is days or even weeks (scary!) before it arrives at our markets. This sacrifices taste, freshness, nutrition and price. By eating seasonally and locally (within your country) you will not have to forgo any of these things. Each season available produce will change. In summer, you will be able to eat fruits and vegis grown in your state or even in your backyard. In winter, as options become a bit more limited, rely more on grains and beans and frozen produce from the warmer months.

Outlined below is a general guide for what is available each month in the United States. Each state, town and market will vary. The NRDC has a detailed list of seasonal produce for each state here. Not in the US? Don’t fret. Check below for a link to your country or region.

Wherever you live, pay attention to what is new in your market and what is on sale, and you will find it easier to eat locally throughout the year.

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JAN: broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, grapefruit, kale, kohlrabi, leeks, lemons, oranges, papayas, parsnips, sprouts, swede, tangelos, tangerines

FEB: broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, chicory, endive, grapefruit, leeks, lemons, oranges, papayas, savoy cabbage, salsify, scorzonera, sprouts, swede, tangelos

MARCH: broccoli, chicory, endive, garlic, leeks, lettuce, mangoes, meyer lemons, pineapples, purple sprouting broccoli, radishes, scallions, sorrel

APRIL: artichokes, asparagus, broccoli, edible flowers/dandelion, haas avocado, lettuce, mangoes, mint, morel mushrooms, pineapples, parsley, radishes, rhubarb, rocket, rosemary, sage, spring greens, spring peas, sorrel, strawberries, watercress, wild garlic, zucchini

MAY: apricots, artichokes, arugula, asparagus, broccoli, cherries, fiddlehead ferns, lettuce, pineapples, potatoes, radishes, rhubarb, rocket, sorrel, spinach, spring peas, strawberries, vidalia onions, zucchini

JUNE: apricots, arugula, beets, blueberries, bok choy, cabbage, cantaloupe, cauliflower, cherries, collard greens, corn, cucumbers, garlic, greens, kale, lettuce, onions, peaches, peas, radishes, spinach, strawberries, swiss chard, turnips, watermelon

JULY: apricots, arugula, beets, blueberries, blackcurrants, broccoli, cabbage, cantaloupe, cherries, corn, cucumber, eggplant, fava beans, fennel, green beans, kiwi, kohlrabi, lettuce, okra, onions, peaches, peppers, plum, potatoes, raspberries, redcurrants, rhubarb, shallots, snow peas, strawberries, sugar snap peas, summer squash, tomatoes, watermelon, zucchini

AUG: apples, apricots, aubergines, blackberries, blueberries, broccoli, cantaloupe, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, fennel, green beans, kale, kiwi, leeks, lettuce, peaches, pears, peppers, plums, potatoes, radishes, raspberries, rhubarb, shallots, strawberries, squash, swiss chard, sweet corn, tomatoes, watermelon, wild mushrooms

SEPT: broccoli, butter beans, carrots, cauliflower, collard greens, eggplants, elderberries, figs grapes, greens, lettuce, peppers, persimmons, plums, pomegranates, pumpkins, raspberries, spinach, squash, sweet corn, tomatoes, wild blackberries, wild mushrooms

OCT: apples, beets, broccoli, cardoon, carrots, celeriac, chestnuts, cranberries, grapes, greens, kale, lettuce, parsnip, pomegranates, pumpkin, spinach, squash, sweet potatoes, turnip, winter squash

NOV: broccoli, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, cranberries, mushrooms, oranges, pears, persimmons, pumpkins, pomegranates, spinach, sweet potatoes, tangerines, winter squash

DEC: broccoli, cauliflower, celeriac, celery, grapefruit, jerusalem artichokes, mushrooms, oranges, papayas, parsnips, pears, pomegranates, red cabbage, sprouts, sweet potatoes, tangelos, tangerines

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Australia: http://www.eatanddrink.com.au/product_results.cfm?type_of_product=43&brand=&name=&x=56&y=8
British Columbia: http://www.bcfarmersmarket.org/inseason.htm
Ontario: http://www.foodland.gov.on.ca/english/availability.html
UK: http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/in_season/

If you have additional information for produce available in your area, please leave a link...