Spring Into Shopping Seasonal & Local

Spring Into Shopping Seasonal & Local

It’s Spring! 

The weather will be getting warmer, the birds will be singing and the produce will be growing more plentiful and colorful!  Shopping local can include fruit, vegetables, cheese, meat, bread, milk, tea and nuts as well as other products like soap, jewelry, woodwork, and clothing among other things.  You can shop local at the Farmers’ Market, directly through the farm with a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) share, and at local businesses and restaurants.

Spring is a great time to shop local at a place like your farmers’ market to take advantage of the season’s produce and great weather!  Though you may not know what to do with some produce items, you will find that many unfamiliar fruits and vegetables can be prepared much like some familiar items and can be easily researched for new recipes online!  You probably won’t be able to find everything you need at the local market, but can still try to support local by purchasing any available seasonal foods and products.    

Spring Produce Available

The produce is variable depending on length of seasons and other weather conditions.  During Spring in East Texas, the following produce might be available:

• Artichoke
• Asparagus
• Beets                                                   
• Broccoli
• Carrots
• Garlic 
• Green Onions/ Leeks
• Greens (kale, turnip, mustard, chard, spinach, etc)
• Herbs (parsley, chives, sorrel, cilantro, dill, rosemary, etc.)
• Lettuces 
• Peas 
• Potatoes 
• Sweet Potatoes 
• Radishes 
• Rhubarb
• Strawberries
• Turnips   

Why shop Local?

You might ask why you should bother shopping local when there are grocery stores in every town.  While it is not necessary to try to survive completely on local seasonal foods, there are many benefits of shopping local: 

•  Support the environment - You can reduce your carbon footprint by knowing that the local good used less energy during production and by traveling less distance in shipping. 
•  Support your local economy – Shopping local keeps money within your community, helps to create jobs, and supports local business owners and farmers.
•  Support your health – Research has shown that buying produce and food from local farmers and restaurants improves health due to the increased intake of fruits and vegetables, higher amounts of quality animal products generated through small farms, and a greater appreciation of the food system.
• Support the process - Talking to the people who grow or home make the product you purchase is a gratifying feeling.  You can learn about the farm practices and even visit or work at the farms for an even greater experience connecting you to your food!
•  Support the service – Local goods and services are generally quality and unique.  The service from owners of a local restaurant or market will usually be much more personal, knowledgeable, and memorable as they are more passionate about customer relationship and product quality. 

Looking for a fun way to shop local? 

Visit the Nacogdoches Farmers Market Spring Fling!  This Saturday, March 28 from 9:00am – 1:00pm there will be children’s activities, performances, and vendors with produce, soap, cheese, bread, jewelry and more!   The Nacogdoches Farmers Market is located on 107 W. Pearl Street in Nacogdoches, TX.

If you cannot make it this Saturday, remember that the Nacogdoches Farmers Market is open year round from 8am to 12pm on Saturdays, and during the week on Wednesdays when in peak growing seasons. 

For more information on the Nacogdoches Farmers’ Market visit: http://www.nacogdochesfarmersmarket.com/

For a recipe using spring vegetables visit:

http://rxforhealthyliving.com/2014/06/09/easy-dinner-salmon-sweet-potatoes-asparagus-21-day-fix/

Written by:  Hannah Dunahoe (Dietetic Intern for SFA Dining/Aramark)