Why Seasonal Produce is the Real MVP: Your Guide to Eating Smart This Spring

Why Seasonal Produce is the Real MVP: Your Guide to Eating Smart This Spring

September 2024

Spring has officially arrived in Australia, bringing warmer weather and a fresh selection of fruits and vegetables. The seasonal change provides a perfect reminder to adopt one of the simplest ways to support your health, wallet and the environment: Eating Seasonally.

There are so many reasons to choose seasonal produce, but here are my top 6 reasons you should buy seasonal produce.

1. Better Flavour and Quality

Seasonal fruits and vegetables are harvested at their peak ripeness, which means they have developed their full flavor and optimal texture. On the other hand, out-of-season produce is often picked before it reaches full maturity to withstand long transport times and extended storage.

This can lead to less intense flavours, and can compromise the texture. When you choose seasonal produce, you’re more likely to enjoy noticeably more vibrant, fresh-tasting ingredients that boost the flavour of your meals without having to try too hard!

2. Nutrition Boost

Seasonal produce is grown under the best possible conditions for each type of fruit or vegetable, allowing it to reach its full nutritional potential. Because it’s consumed soon after harvest, seasonal produce retains more of its vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants compared to out-of-season varieties that might spend weeks in storage or transit. While modern storage methods are effective at preserving nutrients, nothing beats the freshness of produce that comes straight from the field to your plate.

3. Gut Health

Eating seasonal fruits and vegetables does wonders for ensuring you are consuming diverse fibres. Each type of seasonal produce offers unique fibres and prebiotics that feed different beneficial gut bacteria, promoting a balanced microbiome. This diversity helps improve digestion, strengthen immunity, and support overall well-being. By incorporating a variety of seasonal produce into your diet, you avoid the common pitfall of sticking to the same fruits and vegetables all year round, ensuring your gut receives a broader spectrum of nutrients for optimal health.

4. Cost Savings

Whether you want to call it simple economics or girl math, in-season produce is going to give your bank account some serious benefits. With seasonal produce being more abundant, they are less expensive due to lower supply chain costs, which translates to lower prices for us as consumers.

Taking advantage of this abundance can also mean opportunities to buy in bulk. For example, when berries are in season and prices are lower, you can purchase larger quantities and freeze them yourself, meaning you can enjoy these fruits throughout the year without the hefty price tag when they are out of season!

5. Environmental Impact

Seasonal produce typically requires less energy for transportation and storage because it’s often grown locally or closer to your area. The reduced need for long-distance shipping helps decrease your carbon footprint and lowers the overall energy use associated with your food.

Additionally, local produce supports sustainable farming practices, which can include reducing the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilisers, conserving water, and promoting biodiversity. By choosing seasonal produce, you contribute to a more eco-friendly food system.

6. Support Local Farmers

When you buy seasonal produce, you’re often supporting local farmers and markets, which is a great way to strengthen the local economy and help small-scale agriculture.

With the rising cost of living in Australia, many farmers are facing tough times. By choosing seasonal fruits and veggies, you create a steady demand for their crops, helping to build a more diverse and resilient food system. Your support keeps local farms alive and ensures they continue providing fresh, high-quality produce to our communities

So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to dive into seasonal produce, enjoy fresher, tastier fruits and veggies, save some cash and do a solid for the environment and our local farmers.

Want to know whats currently in season?

‘What’s In Season: Spring Edition’

and get shopping!

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