Today, more and more fruit and vegetables from further afield are becoming readily available in our supermarkets, so we can enjoy fresh and exotic fruits and vegetables all year round. But this enjoyment comes at a cost to the planet due to the long distances these foods need to be transported across, in addition to appropriate storage facilities and packages to ensure freshness throughout transportation.

The convenience of having produce like strawberries, mangoes and avocados available all year round, may steer consumers away from eating fruits and vegetables that are in season in the UK, particularly in the colder months where we tend to be more limited with what we can grow here.

However, people are becoming more aware of the impact that flying foods half way across the world can have on the planet, and, as such many are choosing to eat more sustainably, a big part of which includes eating what’s in season locally.

In this blog, we will look at what ‘eating seasonally’ actually means, why it can be beneficial to consume fruits and vegetables that are in season and identify those that are in season and when.

What does ‘eating seasonally’ mean?’

There are two main aspects as defined by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in terms of what ‘seasonal eating’ means: Global seasonality and Local seasonality. The first refers to where the food is produced in the world, and whether that food has been produced in season for that place, i.e. it may have been produced and harvested in season for that country, but may be consumed in another country that doesn’t have the same natural season. Local seasonality is dependent on where the food is produced and then consumed i.e. foods that are produced, harvested and consumed in the same country during the natural season.

Why should you shop and eat in season?

For the environment

There are clear environmental benefits when it comes to choosing ‘Local seasonality’ because it means that fruits and vegetables have not have travelled so far to get to you, particularly when air travel is concerned, therefore reducing the carbon footprint i.e. using less petrol/diesel, air miles, or fossil fuels to get to you.

Having said that there are examples where it may actually be better for the environment for foods to be grown locally in season (outdoors) and then transported to another country for consumption i.e. ‘Global seasonality’, rather than grown out of season and consumed locally. For example, the carbon footprint of growing tomatoes in Spain in season, but being transported to the UK for consumption, is actually lower than growing tomatoes out of season in the UK because artificially heated greenhouses are required to grow the tomatoes in the UK.

Other environmental impacts of eating out of season in additional to artificially heated greenhouses includes using energy for artificial lighting and the storage/refrigeration of items to ensure they remain fresh, particularly on long journey.

Farm to fork is a social movement that supports buying and eating foods from the producer or farmer. A simple change to buying from small farms will ensure less waste and promote a sustainable food production.

The cost of fruit and vegetables can be a lot less

This is due to the abundance of produce during that time. Shopping at a local farmers’ market is one of the best ways to find seasonal produce, with organic produce typically costing less than conventional fruit and vegetables. So take advantage of it and stock up!

Foods grown in season taste better

The flavour of fruit and vegetables that are in season taste much better. In fact, it was found that it is extremely rare that the taste of organically grown produce will taste poorer than conventional produce. This is because the fruit and vegetables naturally ripen on the vine or in the ground, therefore giving it a rich and juicy flavour without the help of any additives or preservatives.

For your health and nutrition

Seasonal produce is harvested at its peak, therefore retaining all the important vitamins, minerals, flavours and colours, which evidence shows declines over time, important to consider when being stored or transported. Sometimes when out of season produce is being transported, techniques such as dehydration or blanching can be used on the fruit and vegetables which can lead to loss of nutrients.

Eating seasonally can also help give us the nutrients we need for the changes in seasons. In the Winter for example, broccoli is rich in vitamin C, which can help fight colds and flu. Whereas fruit and vegetables that are in season during the summer months for example, watermelon and berries, have a higher water content that will help keep you hydrated during the hotter weather.

Which fruit and vegetables are in season, when?

In the UK, we are lucky to have 4 distinct seasons which gives us a variety of fruit and vegetables available throughout different times of the year. We know that eating seasonally can help to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions, water and land use needed to grow and transport the food, it also means our food is fresher, tastier and more nutritious. As we move past the warmer months of Summer, it can be difficult to determine what fruits and vegetables are in season. So, below we have created a list of foods that are in season in the UK for the Autumn, Winter, Spring and Summer months to help.

Autumn

The transition from Summer to Autumn brings a distinct drop in temperature, particularly a chill in the mornings. During this time, it’s important to nourish our bodies with foods that will help strengthen our immune system through the changing of the seasons. During cooler months our bodies tend to crave warm and hot foods such as soup as opposed to cold foods like salads and cold drinks. Here’s a list of fruits and vegetables that are in season during the Autumn months, some of which can be used to create hearty and warming soups!

Fruits

• Blackberries
• Pears
• Raspberries
• Strawberries
• Apples

Vegetables

• Aubergine
• Beetroot
• Cauliflower
• Celery
• Courgettes
• Peppers
• Spinach
• Wild mushrooms
• White cabbage
• Butternut squash
• Carrots
• Leeks
• Turnips

Winter

During the cold and icy Winter months, it can be surprising to think that there is plenty of fruit and vegetables in season at this time. Much like Autumn, these foods help us feel warm and nourished throughout the cold season.

Fruits

• Apples
• Cranberries
• Pears

Vegetables

• Brussel sprouts
• Butternut squash
• Carrots
• Cauliflower
• Celeriac
• Celery
• Potatoes
• Red cabbage
• White cabbage
• Parsnips
• Turnips

Spring

After the long, cold months, Spring is a time when people may opt for foods that are lighter and refreshing as opposed to a hearty, warm meal.

Fruits

• Rhubarb
• Strawberries
• Blueberries

Vegetables

• Beetroot
• Parsnips
• Radishes
• Spinach
• Spring greens
• Aubergine
• Lettuce
• Peas
• Carrots

Summer      

Summer is commonly called the season of abundance. There is rarely a shortage of fresh fruit and vegetables, meaning there is a huge variety for people to shop in season. Foods that are in season during Summer are fresh and hydrating, which can help people obtain key minerals and fluids throughout the hotter months.

Fruits

• Blackcurrants
• Raspberries
• Strawberries
• Blueberries
• Strawberries
• Plums
• Cherries

Vegetables

• Asparagus
• Aubergine
• Beetroot
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Courgettes
• Cucumber
• Peppers
• Spring greens

Whatever the season, we hope this compiled list will help you make more sustainable choices. For more information on what sustainability is, how it can be measured and why they are important, have a look at our food sustainability blog.

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