What's For Dinner?

Today’s grocery stores are all about convenience. They always have everything you need—blueberries, butternut squash, collard greens—even if the produce isn’t in season. Science, modern technology, and global trade have made it possible to keep grocery shelves stocked year-round, leading to the illusion that seasons aren’t important in the modern food system—but just because you can buy corn in the dead of winter doesn’t mean you should.

Even if you aren’t growing your own garden, knowing what is in season is important. In-season produce not only tastes better, it has more health benefits too. Studies have shown that produce has a higher concentration of nutrients when it’s in season. It’s also good for your wallet. In-season produce is also cheaper—the abundant supply helps drive prices down.

If you can eat in-season and locally, there are even more benefits. You can bet produce at your local farmer’s market is in-season, so you don’t have to research ahead of time. Eating locally supports your community, and it reduces your environmental impact. Around one third of American produce is imported, but eating locally means your food no longer has to cross oceans and highways to make it to your plate—it was grown right next door!

When you’re at the supermarket this season, resist the urge to grab a pint of strawberries. Instead, take a trip to the farmers market and pick up something fresh, organic, and local.

Grocery Shopping Tip:

Buy only produce you plan on eating in the next two to three days. You’ll be less likely to let it go bad, and you’ll reduce your food waste!

Winter Produce

• Brussels sprouts
• Apples (As good in salad as they are in pie!) 
• Beets (Don’t toss the tops! The leafy greens are edible.) 
• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Carrots (Carrot tops are edible too!)
• Celery
• Grapefruit
• Leeks (Leeks have a milder onion flavor. They’re great in frittatas and quiche!) 
• Mushrooms 
• Onions 
• Pears (Dress up your morning oats with pear slices sautéed in butter and dusted with cinnamon and cardamom.) 
• Radishes (Slice a baguette and top with good butter, sliced radishes, and flaky salt for a classic French snack.) 
• Sweet potatoes 
• Turnips
• Winter squash
• Avocados (Eat avocados in any season except fall!)
• Collard greens
• Oranges
• Lemons
• Swiss chard