Eat seasonally, save money
Eating fruit and veg when it’s in season is not only good for the planet, it can save you money.
Using the earth’s resources to fly fruit around the world just to bring other people’s seasonal foods to us has provoked an enthusiasm in the UK to eat more food when it is in season locally to us. But there are other good reasons too…
• Save money
Fruit, vegetables and other fresh foods go up and down in price according to how cheaply they can be sourced by the supermarkets.
Foods out of season incur the cost of transport from distant lands, and when they are more scarce in this country that can also push up the price. (If the price stays low it might be that quality has been compromised.)
How to do it
Buy from local grocers or farm shops and you should find prices are much cheaper because there’s no middle man shipping the produce around the country or packaging it for you. These kinds of shops will be selling what’s in season.
Savvy Tip
Beware that some ‘farmer’s market’ type events can be more expensive, especially in larger towns, but don’t dismiss all farm stalls as a trendy gimmick.
• Enjoy the taste
Think about strawberries in June and how sweet, rich in colour and tasty they are compared to the watery versions that are available in winter. It’s true of any fresh produce.
How to do it
If you buy local produce cook it more simply – steaming rather than boiling, just adding a little butter instead of a thick sauce – and you’ll really notice the difference.
Savvy Tip
While it may almost always be preferable to buy locally, remember that a strawberry grown in naturally sunny Spain in early spring and shipped (not flown) to the UK is ecologically preferable to one grown in a UK greenhouse using lots of winter heating to get the same effect.
Pass it on – what’s in season when?
Get some inspiration with our great grub calendar.
Seasonal eating- spring and summer
Seasonal eating- autumn and winter