Food For Thought – Eat local this summer!
Berries, apples, pears, plums, green beans, cabbage, carrots, RHUBARB (my favorite!), tomatoes, kale…the list goes on…and on. Kudos to you if you grow your own, but if you are like me, and don’t have a yard to grow, there are still options to eat fresh veggies and fruit that are in season.
One of the things I love most about summer, aside from the weather and the glowing tan, is having fresh, local veggies and fruit! Seasonal and local grown foods taste so much better! In-season veggies and fruit are picked at their peak of ripeness, so they offer the best flavour and nutrition. They also add a variety to your plate in the summer. Summer time is the perfect time to try a veggie you are not used to having – and indulge in some of your seasonal favorites – like homemade rhubarb pie! The best part about eating locally grown foods is that it supports our community and local economy, and supports local farmers and businesses.
Here are five ways you can support eating local!
Shop at Farmer’s Markets
Make it a weekly family ritual to visit the farmer’s markets. You will get the freshest, tastiest foods available!
Eat seasonally
Get to know when seasonal food is available and plan your meals around those foods, rather than choosing a recipe first and then buying your groceries.
Join a food box program
Sign up for a food box program run by a farm in your community (if there is one). Sign up for the rest of the season and engage the family in preparing delicious meals with each week’s selection of fresh veggies and fruit.
Buy in bulk when you can
Buy larger quantities of local food in season (meat, veggies, fruit, etc.). It can be more expensive to buy these foods in small quantities off season. Freeze, can and dehydrate seasonal foods you buy in bulk, so you can include in your meals all year round.
Grow your own
This one speaks for itself! Don’t have a green thumb? Grow one! Challenge yourself and start slowly. I mastered growing basil on the deck! If I can do it, you can too!
Jenn Giurgevich is the founder of Spark Nutrition & Health, a virtual nutrition consulting business.
Visit www.sparknutritionandhealth.ca for more information.
