Eating seasonally isn’t just a culinary trend—it’s a practical, flavorful, and eco-conscious way to nourish your body. Seasonal eating means choosing fruits and vegetables that are naturally harvested at their peak during a particular time of year in your region. The result? Better taste, higher nutrient content, and often lower prices. Here’s how to get started with eating seasonally, plus helpful tools and meal ideas to make it easy.

Why Eat Seasonally?

• More flavor and freshness: In-season produce is harvested at peak ripeness, making it tastier and more aromatic.
  
• Nutritional benefits: Foods eaten close to harvest often retain more nutrients than those stored or transported long distances.
  
• Lower cost: Seasonal produce tends to be more abundant and competitively priced.
  
• Environmental impact: Eating locally and seasonally cuts down on the carbon footprint associated with long-haul transport and storage.
  

What’s in Season? It Depends on Where You Live

Seasonal availability varies by region. For example:

• Spring in the Northeast might bring asparagus, spinach, and strawberries.
  
• Summer in California delivers tomatoes, peaches, corn, and zucchini.
  
• Fall in the Midwest means hearty options like squash, apples, and kale.
  
• Winter in the South may offer citrus, broccoli, and leafy greens.
  

To find out what’s fresh in your area, visit the Seasonal Food Guide. You can search by state and month to get a detailed list of what’s in season near you.

How to Build a Seasonal Meal Plan

Start by choosing a few key ingredients that are in season, then plan meals around them. Here are some examples:

• Spring:
  • Roasted asparagus with lemon and garlic
    
  • Strawberry-spinach salad with balsamic vinaigrette
    
  • Chickpea and radish pita wraps
    
• Summer:
  • Grilled corn and black bean tacos
    
  • Tomato-basil pasta
    
  • Peach and arugula quinoa salad
    
• Fall:
  • Butternut squash soup with crusty bread
    
  • Roasted root vegetables with tahini sauce
    
  • Apple-cinnamon oatmeal
    
• Winter:
  • Citrus and fennel salad
    
  • Sweet potato lentil curry
    
  • Sautéed greens with garlic and chickpeas
    

Tips to Make Seasonal Eating Easier

• Shop at local farmers markets or join a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) program.

• Plan weekly meals around what’s in season rather than relying on your usual grocery staples.

• Preserve extras by freezing, fermenting, or pickling to extend seasonal flavors year-round.

• Use apps like Instacart or Kroger’s digital flyer to check local deals on seasonal produce.

Save on Organic Produce While Eating Seasonally

When shopping for seasonal, organic ingredients, you can get cashback at Whole Foods with Fluz or use Fluz with other natural grocery chains to reduce your total spend.