There are so many reasons to seek out seasonal produce.
Eating with the seasons provides us with nutrient-rich produce perfectly suited to the seasons. During winter, there's an abundance of oranges, kiwifruit, pumpkin and parsnips, which are packed with vitamin C - helping to carry us through the colder months and flu season. In spring and summer, we start to see a lot more water-dense fruit and vegetables like peaches, melons, capsicums and cucumbers, which are refreshing and hydrating for the body. Nature really does know best.
Fruit and vegetables harvested during their natural growing season also taste far better! They are the best version of themselves, optimal in flavour and texture (we all know what it's like to bite into a floury apple). Produce that can fully ripen and develop in their natural environment without assistance is also much more cost-effective for farmers, and that saving is passed on to us.
Out-of-season produce on our supermarket shelves is usually imported from overseas, which often means chemicals are used. Chemicals help produce to stay "fresh" in transit and still look appetising once they hit the supermarket shelves. They also tend to harbour pesticide residues, as they must all be treated to ensure no pests cross our borders.
Eating with the seasons also has a positive impact on the environment; being able to source produce that is grown locally, helps to support local farmers and in turn avoids the high carbon miles associated with imported produce - it's a win-win!
