Fact Sheets
Eating Seasonally
What Does Eating Seasonally Mean and Why Is It Important?
Perhaps you've seen the words "in season" at your supermarket or on a restaurant menu. Have you ever wondered what that means?
Because of the varied climate of the Northeast, different foods are available from local sources at different times of the year, and foods in season here may not be in season in other regions and countries. By looking at what's available in the produce department of your local supermarket, you may not be able to tell if it is July or January outside! That's because in most of the United States we have become accustomed to having the same foods available year round. Fresh produce from across the country and around the world is shipped to our supermarkets throughout the year. But though we depend on and enjoy this convenience, it contributes to hidden costs that are not usually considered. These include loss of farmland and number of farms and several natural resource costs involved in the ceasless marketing and movement of food.
Regional Economic Viability
Supporting farms in the Northeast is not only good for farmers, it is good for the area's economy. Studies have shown that rural communities with many family farms have the healthiest economies and that with the loss of each farm three to five other rural jobs are also lost.
Getting food from farm to table involves many steps-from planting and harvesting crops, to processing, transporting, packaging, storage, and marketing. The complex food system of the Northeast increases economic stability and security in the region. The foods that consumers choose every day have important impacts on this system.
Local Agriculture
When customers buy foods that are produced in distant areas, they weaken the local market for northeastern farmers. A recent survey found that 98 percent of northeastern consumers agree that keeping farms viable in the Northeast is important, yet according to the Census of Agriculture the Northeast loses farms at an alarming rate-about 3,300 each year. The farms that dot the northeastern landscape can make the area vibrant and healthy. And though farms fail for different reasons, many northeastern farmers would be unable to stay in business without the strong support of regional consumers.
Natural Resources
Transporting fresh produce to the Northeast from other regions requires a significant amount of energy. Currently, the price of fuel is low enough that it is economical to ship food great distances. But some environmental costs, such as air pollution and damage to our roadways, are not accounted for in the price of our food. When food is transported from far away, it needs to be kept cool. The refrigeration needed to keep food fresh during its long journey to market uses energy and may require chloro-fluorocarbons (CFCs) or other ozone-depleting gases.
The Joy of Eating Local Foods
There are other, less tangible benefits to regional and seasonal eating. Eating foods that are grown in the Northeast can help you become more aware of local agricultural cycles and of the seasons and weather. Eating in season leads to a heightened sense of awareness and excitement as the season for your favorite local produce arrives. Once you've tasted a juicy, local vine-ripened tomato at the peak of the season, it may be difficult to recognize the pink, hard tomato you'll find in stores in the middle of winter. When asked to compare local produce with imported, most northeastern consumers think that local fruits and vegetables are fresher, taste better, and look better. Of course, as with any dietary changes, eating regionally and seasonally will be easier if you make changes gradually. Use the fact sheet "Becoming a Regional and Seasonal Eater" to help guide you.
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