Spring is a time for new beginnings. The days are getting longer, the weather is getting warmer, and everything is in bloom!
In the UK, springtime is when our local farms begin to flourish with loads of vegetables like asparagus, broccoli, sweet potatoes and cabbage as well as fruits like lemon, oranges and strawberries.
Not only are these foods tasty but they also provide us with vitamins (A, E, C, K,), minerals (potassium and folate) and fibre, that help our body work and feel its best. Remember aim to consume your 5-a-day and to eat a rainbow ensuring you get a wide range of these nutrients!
Three reasons to eat seasonal produce:
When produce has to shipped from warmer countries in the winter, farmers will have to pick the produce before peak ripeness and chill it until they reach its final destination. They will then be put in a warm environment to artificially ripen. All of this manipulation can affect the both the flavour and texture.
Not only will your produce taste better, but it will also be more nutritious. It has been shown that fruit & veg that have been stored for long periods of time (i.e during transportation) will have a lower amount of nutrients such as vitamin C, carotenes and other phytonutrients. Whether the produce is picked at peak ripeness will also affect the amount of nutrients.
Eating produce that is in season in the UK means that your fruit and veg can be locally sourced. Buying local produce means that those famers aren’t having to pay transportation or storage costs, which allows them to make it cheaper for the customer!
Also a plus – you will be supporting your local farmers, local economy & your environment (less transportation, refrigeration & processing)
