Eat the Seasons

For thousands of generations, each passing season brought with it a new harvest of different fruit and vegetables. Our palates would change with each harvest and the variety of foods tended to complement the seasons; lighter foods in the spring and summer, heartier, comfort food in cooler months.

That is no longer the case though, consumers expect to be able to purchase all types of produce at the supermarket regardless of seasonality. This is a marker of the success of perishable supply chains, which allow the shipping of food across the world to meet growing consumer demand. However, convenience comes at a cost. We are increasingly disconnected from our food, how it’s made, or when it’s harvested. While food prices are pushed ever lower by the competitive nature of consumerism, the externalities of food production continue to change habitats, livelihoods and the economies of countries outside our daily perception.

Asparagus grown in Peru and sold in the UK is commonly held up as a symbol of unacceptable food miles, but a report has raised an even more urgent problem: its water footprint. The study looked at in The Guardian, by the development charity Progressio, has found that industrial production of asparagus in Peru's Ica valley is depleting the area's water resources so fast that smaller farmers and local families are finding wells running dry. Water to the main city in the valley is also under threat, it says. It warns that the export of the luxury vegetable, much of it to British supermarkets, is unsustainable in its current form. "The water tragedy unfolding in this region of Peru should set alarms bells ringing for government, agribusiness and retailers involved in Ica's asparagus industry," said report author Nick Hepworth. The report accuses supermarkets and investors, including the World Bank, of failing to take proper responsibility for the impact of their decisions on poorer countries' water resources. Water shortages impact significantly not only on human populations in the area, but also on the wildlife, changing the ecology of the region.

Knowing what is in season will help your wallet

Eating seasonally ensures the food you’re eating is more fresh since it has travelled fewer miles, but did you know it can also help you save money? When you buy food at the peak of its supply, there’s more to pick from, which means prices are usually at their lowest.

Eating seasonal food helps the planet

Buying seasonal food has a positive correlation with eating locally, because seasonal and local produce go hand-in-hand. This has several net-positive effects on the environment, including significantly reduced greenhouse gas emissions since your food travels fewer miles to get to your plate. Another benefit is the support that buying local gives to the economy in your area.

Seasonal food is less reliant on chemicals and pesticides

When food has to grow outside its natural season, farmers need to grow a greater supply so there’s more produce to pick from to meet the cosmetic standards set by traditional grocery stores. Using harmful chemicals to secure out-of-season harvests is often standard procedure. Buying produce that’s suitable for the season will likely be the more earth-friendly choice.