Seasonal Food Items You Can Find at a Local Grocery Store Near You

Today, on Redhead Mom, I’m sharing a guest post about seasonal food items you can find at a local grocery store near you.

Eating seasonal food items can be great to maintain your health as they are rich in micronutrients. According to studies, minerals and vitamins gradually deteriorate after the produce is picked. For instance, you should have vegetables such as peppers and tomatoes in the summer and vegetables such as cabbage and beets in the winter. Otherwise, you miss out on the perfect nutrient combinations. 

So, you should buy seasonal food from a local grocery store as they are more likely to have fresh produce, which is considerably healthier. You can avail local grocery delivery services to save time and energy. You may also try exotic food products from a nearby african store. If you’re looking to stock up on fresh meat, you should visit a Fresh Meat Shopping Market.

Besides being more nutritious, in-season food tends to taste better than out-of-season fruits and vegetables. Farmers who produce fruits and vegetables in high quantities give more value to shelf-life over flavor to store the products for long periods. 

Seasonal foods are also excellent for the environment as they are grown locally in a perfect climate and are also available at affordable prices. 

The availability of seasonal products depends on your location, and as their name suggests, the ‘seasons’ of the year. For instance, some products may be available only in summers in some parts of the country, while others are available throughout the year.

Thus, you should explore your local grocery market to the fullest and ask sellers what you can get in their stores throughout the year. 

Check the list of seasonal fruits and vegetables you can find at a local store below:

Spring Seasonal Fruits

Oranges and mangoes are two of the most popular spring seasonal fruits.

Oranges are a great source of vitamin C, other vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals. Once you have them, you lower the risk of heart disorder and kidney stones. 

Mangoes are rich in minerals, antioxidants, and vitamins. For instance, vitamin C helps in building blood vessels and collagen. Vitamin K helps your blood clot, prevents anemia, and strengthens your bones. 

Some other spring seasonal fruits are:

• Apricot
• Cherries
• Cherimoya
• Limes
• Jackfruit
• Honeydew
• Pineapple
• Green beans
• Asparagus
• Broccoli

Summer Seasonal Fruits

Tomatoes are a well-known summer seasonal fruit that contains lycopene which gives the bright red color, vitamins B and E, potassium, and other nutrients. This fruit protects you from the sun’s UV rays and cells from damage. 

Some other summer seasonal fruits are:

• Barbados cherries
• Black currants
• Black crowberries
• Blackberries
• Blueberries
• Beets
• Cucumbers
• Eggplant
• Lima beans

Fall Seasonal Fruits

Apples are a popular fall seasonal fruit that contains vitamins, antioxidants, nutrients, and dietary fiber that prevent various health conditions. You can find apples in different colors, shapes, and flavors. 

Some of the other good fall seasonal fruits are:

• Cactus pear
• Black crowberries
• Cranberries
• Cherries
• Cauliflower
• Brussels Sprouts
• Garlic
• Pumpkin
• Mushrooms

You can opt for turnips, sweet potatoes, chestnuts, kale, and buttercup squash for winters. So, these are seasonal fruits you can find in a local grocery store. 

Other Seasonal Foods

You must have consumed seasonal foods such as eggs, meat, and dairy products. You can find eggs in your nearby store in the winter season, but the availability decreases as the days shorten. Farmers worldwide use artificial lighting to boost egg production, although it is not that great an option for a hen’s normal fertility and rest cycles. 

When buying seasonal foods in your local store, the farmer’s processes differ depending on several factors. Goats and cows usually mate throughout the year, and thus, you get dairy products all year around.

How to Buy Seasonal Produce Locally

If you want to keep up with healthy habits by consuming seasonal produce, you ought to buy it correctly. Start by buying these food items in bulk quantities from nearby stores and get local grocery delivery services to deliver your items and freeze them for future use. Also, use color as an indicator to buy the freshest foods. Buy colorful produce and check their color to see if they are unblemished or look pale and stale. You may also order organic vegetable CSA delivery boxes if you want fresh and organic vegetables to be delivered straight to your doorstep.

Lastly, look at the availability of these food items and ensure that you’re getting them at the right prices. 

With various seasonal foods available in local stores throughout the year, you tend to get what you need to eat to boost your health. Some people prefer to eat more meat in the winter months in order to keep their bodies warm. Conversely, your body can tolerate vegetables and fresh fruits more than meat during the summer. 

Have root foods and citrus fruits in the winter season to consume vitamin C and keep healthy. During the spring, eat salads and vegetables. Once summer arrives, focus your attention on plant-based foods. As the sun’s scorching heat drains your energy, you need to have food that makes you feel energetic yet improves your health significantly.