Seasonality

Being from the east coast, most of the produce purchased from the local grocery store had a bright label proudly announcing that this tomato was grown in sunshiny California!  It had been picked from the vine, still green, to be trekked across the country to sit in the produce section of my local grocery store waiting for me to come along to take it home.  Only a couple months out of the year could I hop in the car and go to the town's Sunday farmers market to get fresh, ripe vegetables that were from neighboring farms. 

You can find your local food wheel at http://www.localfoodswheel.com/

Only after eating a vine ripe heirloom tomato, do you realize that there is a world of difference between a vibrant, juicy tomato fresh off the vine and a pastel, mealy one that traveled thousands of mile to sit on your plate. 

Having said that, I will be the first to admit that if I am craving out of season strawberries, I will take full advantage of the fact that we live in a modern era in which we can purchase hot-house strawberries to indulge in this craving.  But even then, there is a noticeable difference when the ingredients for your meal are fresh and recently picked off the vine.  I loved those two months in the summer! 

Four years ago, I moved to the San Francisco bay area for work.  I would finally be in the state where all those shiny produce labels proudly advertised where the food was grown.  Immediately, I gained an even greater appreciation and love for fresh food.  I now have four farmers markets that I can walk to at various days during the week to select fresh produce!  I am especially spoiled because living in the bay area gives nearly endless options to seasonal foods. 

As if having all these farmers markets didn't helps enough, I have a local food wheel that helps me keep track of what is currently in season.  Also, I have been referencing CUESA's Seasonality Charts

• Fruits & Nuts
• Vegetables 

to check out what the freshest in season fruits and veggies are.  So if you're curious, like I am, to investigate what will make your prepared meals even more delicious, check them out!