Fall Into Fresh: Why Eating Local and In-Season Matters
Ever wondered why eating local and in-season is worth the hype? Choosing seasonal and locally grown foods can be a simple way to add more variety, flavor, and nutrition to your meals while supporting the farmers and businesses in your community.
Fruits and vegetables that are grown in season are often harvested closer to when they’re ready to eat, which can mean better flavor and freshness. Seasonal produce can also be a budget-friendly way to add more fruits and vegetables to your meals. And when you shop locally, you're helping support local agriculture and your community's economy.
The best part? Eating local and in-season doesn't mean you need a green thumb! You can shop at a local farmers market, join a CSA (community-supported agriculture) to receive a regular produce box, visit a local farm, or simply look for foods grown in North Carolina or neighboring states at your grocery store.
Prefer to Watch?
I created a short video to go along with this post, where I share simple ways to incorporate more local and seasonal foods into your meals and make the most of the produce available this fall.
Fall Produce in North Carolina
Fall is a wonderful time for fresh, local produce in North Carolina. Keep an eye out for:
Apples
Pears
Muscadine grapes
Pumpkin
Sweet potatoes
Carrots
Broccoli
Kale, turnip greens, and mustard greens
Brussels sprouts
Winter squash, such as butternut and acorn
Peppers
Try This Challenge
Challenge yourself to include at least one serving of local or in-season produce each day. Add an apple to breakfast, roast sweet potatoes with dinner, or toss fresh greens into your favorite meal.
Want more simple ways to incorporate seasonal foods into your meals? Join the Sprouting Nutrition newsletter for seasonal recipes and nutrition tips, or schedule an appointment to learn how you can improve your overall nutrition in a practical, sustainable way.
