It is important to shop and eat in-season year round, but it becomes especially relevant when entering a new season. Continue reading for a quick guide on eating in-season this summer!
Why eat in-season?
There are multiple benefits to shopping and eating in-season. Eating locally grown, in-season produce often has better flavor and increased nutritional benefits. For example, a strawberry eaten in the summer will be sweeter and contain more vitamin C than a strawberry eaten in winter. Shopping in-season also helps support local farmers and small businesses, so check out your local farmer's market! You’ll also save money by shopping seasonally - produce will be cheaper in-season than out of season. Another great tip for saving money on produce is buying bulk produce in-season, when the cost is lower, and freezing to be eaten in fall and winter. Another way to save money is by properly storing produce so it doesn’t spoil before you can eat it. Check out this helpful article on how to properly store different types of produce.
Washington Summer Produce Guide
The following is an incomplete list of fruits and veggies that are considered in-season in Washington during the months of June, July, and August. These items will be tastier, more nutritional, and cheaper during these months.
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Green veggies: Arugula, beet green, baby bok choy, broccoli, swiss chard, collard greens, dandelion greens, escarole, lettuce, mustard greens, spinach, turnip greens
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Orange veggies: carrots
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Starchy veggies: green snap peas, green snow peas
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Other: artichokes, beets, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumber, fennel, onions, radishes, rhubarb, summer squash, zucchini
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Fruits: blackberries, blueberries, boysenberries, huckleberries, raspberries, strawberries
Summer Produce Recipe Guide
Now that you have an idea of what produce is in-season in Washington this summer, check out some of the following Second Harvest recipes. These recipes contain summer seasonal produce, and can be delicious and nutritious additions to your summer meal rotation.
Happy Cooking!
By Sophia Orsinelli
JVC Northwest AmeriCorps Team Member