If you want to save money, and enjoy the wonderful taste of fresh vegetables and fruit, then eating seasonally is the only way to go. Fresh produce is at its best when eaten ripe and only just harvested. Here’s how to get started.
- Pick your own
One way in which you can support your local farmer is to take advantage of any pick your own offers. This is one of the best ways to enjoy fresh succulent produce and promote a rural industry. If you freeze any surplus on the day of picking, it’ll still taste delicious. Farmers are accomodating to visitors, with specialist insurance in place to protect the general public whilst picking on the farms.
- Look in the shops
UK consumers are starting to vote with their feet, and the major supermarkets all stock produce that’s been harvested from local farms. Seasonal produce simply tastes better. The My Daily website suggests that spring is the healthiest season for fruit and vegetables, though every season has its triumphs. Think of fresh swede in December, or pumpkins in November – delicious. When you’re next shopping look out for labels boasting that your food is locally sourced.
- Get a calendar
The Eat the Seasons website is a fantastic resource for anyone who wants to take seasonal eating seriously. You’ll be able to check up on fish and meat that are in season as well as fruit and vegetables. The website also produces imaginative recipes, which are invaluable for the busy parent. The website stresses that seasonal eating is ‘about enjoyment and not abstinence.’ If you’re at all concerned about your vitamin and protein intake, then the nutrient content of all foods is at its best when the produce is fresh.
- Boost your diet
Not everyone has the time or energy to cook on a regular basis. One way in which you can supplement your diet is to buy your regular frozen food, and then supplement these dishes with vegetables, cheese or fruit from your local farmer’s market. Even city dwellers will be able to find one of these online. It’s a great day out, and you’ll be eating tasty food that’s in season.
- Produce in a box
According to Wired sales of organic produce in the UK amount to a healthy £1.8 billion, compared with a drop of 1.9% in general UK food expenditure.
Increasingly hectic work schedules and the demands of an active family mean that time is at a premium for most of us. One way around this problem is to sign up with a local delivery service to bring seasonal produce to your home. The selections include honey and vegetables as well as cheese and other products.
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