Rules To Eat By: Eat In-Season Foods

Tired of pale tomatoes and unripe oranges?  Eating in-season means eating food when it's at its best.  In today's global market, we can get almost any food year-round, but why would you want to?

Rule #2:  Eat In-Season Foods

Why eat in-season foods:

1. In-season food is fresher and tastes better. 
   
   By definition, in-season food is food that is at its peak - either the time of year when it is harvested or when it has the most flavor.  Sure, we can import, refrigerate, freeze, can and farm out-of-season foods, but wouldn't you rather have the fresh, more flavorful meal?
   
   
2. Reduce your carbon footprint. 
   
   Instead of shipping your fruit in from South America with expensive refrigeration, try eating local and in-season foods - it reduces the energy needed to grow and transport your food.
    
3. Reconnect with nature and time. 
   
   Our bodies are naturally in tune with the seasons - it's why we crave cool, light meals in the summer and heavy, warm dishes in the fall and winter.  It's why we eat watermelon on the 4th of July and pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving.  By eating in-season, you can reconnect with nature, celebrate all the seasons have to offer and savor the passage of time.
   
   
4. Support the local economy. 
   
   Eating in-season goes hand in hand with eating local.  Buying in-season, local foods help support your local economy and ensures more of your money gets into the hands of the farmers rather than big business.
    
5. Save Money. 
   
   Buying out-of-season or imported foods come at a price.  Local, in-season foods don't have expensive transportation, handling or refrigeration costs.  In addition, they are generally abundant and therefore don't come at a premium cost.

How To Eat In Season:

1. Know what foods are in-season.
   
   Check out a local seasonal food guide to find out what food is in-season in your area.  Epicurious and the NRDC both have great seasonal food maps.
    
2. Visit Local Farmer's Markets. 
   
   Your local farmer's market will carry in-season produce.
    
3. Join a CSA. 
   
   Community-Supported Agriculture (also known as a CSA) is a membership you purchase to support local farms.  In exchange for a subscription, you generally receive a weekly box of in-season fruits and/or vegetables.  You can also find organic CSAs and it's a great way to try new foods that you might not normally buy.
   
   
4. Create your own seasonal recipes. 
   
   Create your own seasonal recipes by experimenting with in-season foods.  Bring them back from year to year to create your own traditions.