Why eating seasonally matters

Discover how seasonal eating supports health, communities, and a lower environmental footprint

Jordon Parr

January 12, 2022

Eating seasonally to help the environment and keep you healthy

Supermarkets are stocked with produce from all over the world, making it easy to buy almost any fruit or vegetable at any time of year. While this convenience has become the norm, choosing seasonal and locally grown food can have significant benefits for both the environment and your health.

What does eating seasonally mean?

Eating seasonally means choosing foods that are naturally harvested at the time of year you are eating them, ideally from local producers. Seasonal produce does not rely on intensive growing conditions or long-distance transport to reach our plates.

Why seasonal eating matters

Better for the environment

Food that is imported or grown out of season often requires more energy for transport, refrigeration, and artificial growing conditions. Choosing locally grown seasonal produce can significantly reduce carbon emissions associated with your food.

For example, a 100g box of locally grown blueberries produces around 100g of CO2, whereas imported blueberries flown into the UK can produce up to 1kg of CO2.[1]

Eating seasonally also reduces the environmental impacts linked to excessive packaging and long supply chains.

Fresher and tastier food

Seasonal produce is often harvested at its peak ripeness, meaning it reaches your plate fresher and full of flavour. Fruit and vegetables that spend long periods in storage or transport can lose moisture, nutrients, and taste over time.

Nothing quite compares to fresh British strawberries in summer or locally grown asparagus in spring.

Health benefits

Seasonal foods are often more nutritionally dense because they are picked and consumed closer to their natural harvest time.[3] Fresh produce can retain more vitamins and minerals than foods that have travelled long distances or been artificially ripened.[2]

Eating a variety of seasonal foods throughout the year can also encourage a more balanced and diverse diet.

Supporting local communities

Buying local seasonal produce helps support farmers, growers, and independent businesses in your area. It keeps money within local communities and helps strengthen more sustainable food systems.

Often more affordable

When produce is in season, it is usually more abundant and requires fewer resources to grow and transport. This often means lower prices for consumers compared to out-of-season imported alternatives.

Easy ways to eat more seasonally

Use a seasonal food calendar

Seasonal food calendars are a great way to plan meals and shopping around what is naturally available throughout the year.

Try seasonal recipe inspiration

Websites such as the BBC Food and Riverford offer a wide range of seasonal recipes and cooking ideas.

Consider seasonal veg boxes

Seasonal vegetable boxes can make it easier to eat locally grown produce while encouraging you to try new ingredients. Companies such as Riverford and Everfield Organic provide seasonal produce deliveries across the UK.

Final thoughts…

Eating seasonally is a simple way to reduce your environmental impact while enjoying fresher, tastier, and often healthier food. Small changes to the way we shop and eat can help support local communities and contribute towards a more sustainable future.

Sources

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this blog are those of the author, Jordan Parr, and do not necessarily reflect the views of recycle-more, Valpak Limited, or any other organisation.