A Guide to Seasonal Eating

When you go to the grocery store, you see fresh produce from all over the world, but just because fruits and vegetables can be found in your grocery store doesn’t mean they are currently in season.

Seasonal eating means eating fruits and vegetables that are locally grown during their official growing season. When food is grown in season, it is more nutritious because it is adapted to the region, grown in soil and harvested at its peak. Buying seasonal foods also decreases the amount of both packaging required and the greenhouse gases generated from driving your food across the country.

Why Eat with the Seasons?

Seasonal foods are fresh and the most nutritious
Consuming produce fresh is the best way to get all its benefits. When fruits and vegetables have been picked at the perfect time, they tend to be sweeter and higher in nutrients such as vitamin C and potassium – all critical for health and performance.

Seasonal foods taste better
Seasonal food tends to have more flavor than food that is grown out-of-season. Food grown out-of-season is harvested early so it can travel long distances and it requires the use of artificial ripening with gases while stored in boxes as they are shipped.

Seasonal food supports the community
When you buy seasonal food grown in your area, your money goes directly to the farmers who share your values.

How to Eat with the Seasons

Know your seasons
Find a seasonal calendar from your state’s agricultural department or extension office.

Find a local farmers market or farm stand
Farmers markets can be found year-round in most places. Local Harvest is America’s most comprehensive directory for regional food. Keep in mind: market stands that sell produce that aren’t in season are not legitimate (e.g., selling oranges and bananas in Colorado). Also, if it’s not labeled USDA certified organic, ask if chemicals were used.

Use Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
Community-supported agriculture (CSA) is a system that connects farmers and consumers more closely by allowing consumers to subscribe to the harvest of a certain farm or group of farms. CSA is a great way to buy seasonal and local produce the most direct way possible. CSA shares include vegetables, fruits, beans, grains, and even salsa or sriracha.

CSA shares are purchased ahead of production (January/February) to provide farmers the means to get started. Each week, a CSA member picks up the weekly box of seasonal produce at a drop-off site (June-October). CSA shares are not only fair for the farmer but are also the best way to get seasonal food at the best price.

Try at-home canning and freezing
Canning and freezing help prevent fresh food spoilage and waste in places with short growing seasons, like in Colorado.

Look for stickers that say ‘Local’
Look for “Local” stickers when shopping in your neighborhood grocery store, as these items are in season in your area.

Think beyond produce
Fish and meat have seasons too! While meat and fish can be frozen for later consumption, if you are by the sea, choose the catch of the day. Seafood Watch can help you make better seafood choices.

This table provides an example of what fruits and vegetables are typically produced nationwide during each season.

* Grown in Arizona and California (December-April)
**Grown in Arizona (August-September)

About TrueSport
TrueSport® is a grassroots movement born and powered by the experience and values of USADA–the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency. The TrueSport® mission is simple and bold: to change the culture of youth sport by providing powerful educational tools to equip young athletes with the resources to build the life skills and core values for lasting success on and off the field. Interested in learning more? Head over to TrueSport.org for more information and free educational resources on how you can join the TrueSport movement.