Understanding Seasonal Fruits and Vegetables for Sustainability
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Chapter 1: The Importance of Seasonal Eating
Choosing to consume fruits and vegetables that are in season locally can significantly lessen the carbon footprint associated with food transportation. Produce that is out of season often travels extensive distances, leading to increased greenhouse gas emissions.
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Section 1.1: What Does Seasonal Mean?
The following sections provide a detailed overview of which vegetables and fruits are harvested during each season. While the lists serve as a general shopping guide, it is essential to note that some crops may ripen at different times or represent early varieties, and there may be local differences in ripening.
Subsection 1.1.1: Seasonal Vegetables
Root vegetables, including pumpkins and turnips, can often be stored for several months.
Spring Vegetables:
- Artichokes
- Arugula (rocket)
- Asparagus
- Beets
- Fava beans (broad beans)
- Fennel
- Leeks
- Lettuce
- Spring onions
- Parsley
- Peas
- Radishes
- Rhubarb
- Scallions (green onions)
- Spinach
- Swiss chard
- Turnips
Summer Vegetables:
- Asparagus
- Climbing beans
- Beets
- Capsicum (peppers)
- Corn
- Cucumbers
- Eggplant
- Various herbs
- Melons
- Sugar snap and snow peas
- Pumpkin
- Silver beet
- Sweet corn
- Tomatoes
- Yellow squash
- Zucchini
Fall Vegetables:
- Acorn squash
- Arugula
- Beets
- Broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- Buttercup squash
- Butternut pumpkin
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Eggplant
- Kale
- Leeks
- Parsnips
- Pumpkin
- Rutabaga (swede)
- Shallots
- Spinach
- Spaghetti squash
- Sweet potatoes
- Turnips
Winter Vegetables:
- Artichoke
- Beets
- Broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- Cabbage
- Carrots
- Cauliflower
- Celery
- Horseradish
- Kohlrabi (German turnip)
- Leeks
- Onions
- Parsnips
- Rutabaga
- Shallots
- Turnips
- Winter squash
Article about food miles: Farmers Markets and Climate Change | by Peter Miles | Age of Awareness | Jul, 2022 | Medium
Section 1.2: Seasonal Fruits
Spring Fruits:
- Apricots
- Avocados (in colder areas)
- Cherries
- Grapefruit
- Kiwi
- Kumquat
- Lemons
- Mango
- Navel oranges
- Pineapple
- Strawberries
Summer Fruits:
- Berries (blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries)
- Cantaloupe
- Muskmelons (sweet melon)
- Watermelon
- Stone fruits (apricots, nectarines, peaches, plums)
Fall Fruits:
- Apples
- Cranberries
- Pears
Winter Fruits:
- Grapefruit
- Kiwi
- Kumquat
- Lemons
- Mandarins
- Oranges
- Tangerines
Chapter 2: Shopping for Seasonal Produce
Understanding when fruits and vegetables are in season can help you make better purchasing decisions and reduce your environmental impact.
Learn what fruits and vegetables are fresh and in season during March.
Discover tips on how to shop for seasonal fruits and vegetables effectively.