I am a seasonal eater- meaning I eat what is in season when it comes to fruits and vegetables.  I buy local produce, and if I can not find it too local, I try not to go further than a 100 mile radius for my foods. Eating locally has many benefits to your body and to your taste buds.  When you are eating locally with the seasons, you are eating foods that are in your environment, as well as getting a wide variety of foods for each season that will help provide you with natural vitamins, minerals, enzymes, antioxidants, and more.  Why would you want to eat something that is from California when you live in New York?  Because of the traveling, foods are rotting, losing their natural flavors, and more chemicals than you should ever want to consume are being added into  your “good for you foods”.  Strawberries are typically in season in the late spring to early summer, that is the peak time to eat them and stock up on them.  Buying them in December is not benefiting you or your body, it is benefiting the manufacturer that added chemicals in it to make them look fuller and brighter after delivering them from out-of-state.

When it comes to eating seasonally, I get my produce either through my winter and summer CSA co-ops, or at the local farmers market.

I am a big supporter of the Peekskill Farmer’s Market in my area, and this year they have added many new vendors!

Buying foods through local CSA co-ops and farmers’ markets are not only beneficial to your body, but your wallet will thank you too!  Most farms and CSA’s are less than half the cost of what you would spend on produce in the supermarket and the foods are much more fresh!

This past weekend I had to stock up on fruits for my weekday smoothies.  In season now are-

Cherries

Blueberries

Raspberries

Plums

Peaches

Apricots

When you eat with the seasons, you are eating local and you are helping your body, taste buds, and your environment! Stop by your local farmer’s market or farm today and stock up on the produce that is in season now!