We all know the benefits of eating fruits and vegetables. They contain vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other nutrients to keep our bodies running in peak condition. Study after study shows that people who consume the most fruits and veggies are less at risk for a host of illnesses, including heart disease and cancer. The best fruits and vegetables to eat are the ones grown locally and seasonally. Doing this saves money, protects the planet, and pleases your palate.
Crops are more bountiful during their natural harvest times, and your pocketbook benefits from the surplus. Plus, if you buy locally, you won’t incur the costs of the food being transported to your store, and the planet won’t incur the costs of fossil fuels being burned to ship that food. But even if money was no object and global warming weren’t an issue, the best reason to eat locally and seasonally is taste. I love eating fresh fruit and vegetables from my garden. It tastes better that produce you can buy at the store, and when I have grown the produce myself I feel a sense of accomplishment. I love the summer and autumn months when I can eat straight from my garden. I feel good and my pocket book thanks me for spending less at the supermarket.