Do You Know What Foods Are In Season Where You Live?

Have you read that eating locally grown in season foods is good for both our bodies and our planet?  Me too, but what’s in season in Virginia in March? If you’re like me, you’ve become accustomed to getting just about anything at any time of the year at the grocery store.  So how do we know what to choose?  I found a really cool website that will help you figure out what your local foods are and what foods are grown during that season in neighboring states. They also list what items are usually flown in from all over the world which racks up global warming emissions. 

The website is the Natural Resources Defense Council.  If you check under the Issue tab and check out Health you will find information on Eat Local. Living in Virginia can get cold and snowy during the winter months.  There is not a lot growing out in the ground at that time but neighboring states such as Tennessee and North Carolina have produce available. If the food at your grocery store does not list what state it came from, ask.  If they don’t know there are many grocery stores that are happy to share that information.

If you live where it’s warm all year long you obviously have a much longer list of in season foods than Virginia girl here, but still check into what is in season.  They are still flying foods from all over the world to your supermarkets.  Farmers markets are a great way to buy local produce.  If you’re not sure where the farmers markets are around you or where you might be headed for spring break or summer vacation, check out Local Harvest.  Buy fresh local in season foods and your body, your local farmers, and your planet will thank you.

Eat local and eat in season!  Here is what’s fresh in Virginia.

What’s Fresh in Virginia: Late March
* Greens
* Spinach

Other produce available in bordering states:
* Gourds (Tennessee)
* Herbs (Tennessee)
* Honey (Tennessee)
* Indian Corn (Tennessee)
* Leafy greens (North Carolina)
* Mushrooms (Tennessee)
* Peanuts (North Carolina)
* Sorghum Syrup (Tennessee)
* Sweet Potatoes (North Carolina, Tennessee)

Flown in
* Asparagus (Peru)
* Bell peppers (Netherlands)
* Tomatoes (Netherlands)
* Blackberries (Chile)
* Blueberries (Argentina)
* Cherries (Chile)
* Raspberries (Chile)
* Peaches (Chile)
* Nectarines (Chile)
* Papayas (Brazil)

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