Elevate your plate with locally grown, farm-fresh food.

Seasonal vegetables stacked in wooden crates at a farmers market

When you take a look in your pantry or fridge, how much do you really know about the food inside? Where does it come from? How was it grown? Whose hands did it pass through to find its place in your pantry?

In a world of year-round abundance and seemingly unlimited choices at the grocery store, it’s easy to forget the unique flavors and qualities that come with eating succulent fruits and delectable vegetables during their natural growing season.

When you shop seasonally from a local farm, or support growers with a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) share, you not only get to enjoy better tasting ingredients — you’ll begin to cultivate a deeper appreciation for our farmers’ commitment to nourishing our communities while supporting more sustainable food systems.

Ready to buy fresh, seasonally grown food from your local farm to improve your quality of life, support your community, and live more sustainably. Continue reading for five reasons to eat by the seasons.

Flat lay of seasonal vegetables. Carrots, onion, peppers, potatoes, and more. Farmer FreshBox from Luckyrow Farm — *The Farmer Fresh Box from* *Lucky Crow Farm* *features a variety of seasonal produce that changes weekly.*

Find farm-fresh food near you now.

Over 900 farmers across the U.S. provide their communities with seasonal produce, artisanal cheese, pasture-raised eggs, fresh meat, and dairy products.

SHOP SEASONAL FOOD

1. Local produce is fresh and nutrient dense.

Local, seasonal fruits and vegetables not only taste amazing, but they also retain higher nutritional value.

Local produce at farmers markets is often harvested at peak ripeness the day before or even morning of! Much of the produce you’ll find in grocery stores is harvested before they’re ripe, stored for long periods of time, and travel thousands of miles to your local supermarket. The longer produce sits after harvest, the more nutrients it can lose.

By purchasing farm-fresh food, you’re ensuring maximum flavor and optimal nutrition for you and your family.

Seasonal Food Guide. Find what's in season near you. Select a State, Month, and type of Produce to discover what is available in your state throughout the year with The Seasonal Food Guide. A project by FoodPritn.org. Available on desktop and an app. — Discover seasonal produce available in your state throughout the year with The Seasonal Food Guide.

2. Shopping local reduces environmental impact.

Aside from the freshness factor, buying locally reduces the carbon footprint associated with packaging and transporting tons of food products thousands of miles across the country.

When you purchase food directly from your farmer, it’s likely that the produce has only traveled a short distance compared to items at a big box grocery store.

Biking to the farmers market or driving a few miles to pick up your CSA share every week emits vastly less carbon and gas emissions than imported food, and supports a more sustainable (and connected) food system. Don’t forget to BYOB (bring your own bag!).

REUSABLE BAGS & TOTES WE RECOMMEND

Graphic diagram showing the reciprocal relationship between CSA farmers and share members. The Farmers aka Sellers grow the seasonal food to sell direclty to CSA members. The members aka Shareholders, or Customers pay for shares. 98% of the profit goes directly to the farmer. In return for hte upfront payment, the farmers deliver fresh food.

3. Buying local supports your local economy.

Purchasing food directly from your local farmer eliminates the middleman, and your money directly funds the farmers, ensuring that more of your money stays within your local economy.

Unlike big-box retailers, local farms reinvest their earnings into the community, supporting sustainable agriculture and small businesses.

Your purchasing decisions can increase demand for ethical, sustainable farming practices while reducing reliance on large corporations that often exploit small-scale producers.

Plus, when you shop locally, you get to meet your farmers! Ask about their growing methods, favorite crops, or even recipe ideas—it’s a great way to build relationships and deepen your appreciation for fresh, seasonal food.

4. Enjoy seasonal variety, nutrient diversity, and culinary creativity.

If you are part of a local CSA program, you have the opportunity to try new fruit or vegetables that you’ve never heard of, let alone seen at the grocery store! Embracing seasonal eating encourages creativity in the kitchen as you experiment with new ingredients.

Eating a diverse range of foods throughout the year promotes a more balanced diet, providing essential vitamins, minerals, and bioactive compounds that support overall health. Plus, the element of surprise in a CSA share makes meal planning an exciting activity for the whole family!

Instead of sticking to the same three or four vegetables week after week, you and your family adapt to the availability of fresh produce and other products available at your local farm. Who knows — you might find a new favorite!

Once you've tasted an heirloom tomato straight off the vine, the grocery store alternative can’t compare!

5. Farm food tastes better.

Fresh, local, and seasonal produce simply tastes superior!

Local produce at farmers markets is harvested at peak ripeness the day before or even morning of the market, so you get the freshest, most nutrient dense produce. Once you’ve tasted an heirloom tomato straight off the vine or ground beef from happy pasture-raised cows, the grocery store alternative can't compare.

Whether it’s because the packaged produce has been stored for extended periods of time, transported long distances, or is simply grown or raised in less than ideal conditions, the supermarket substitutes can’t compare to your local farmers’.

Farm fresh produce products have time to develop full flavor on the vine or tree, rather than being harvested prematurely for transportation. Livestock and chickens that are eventually produced into meat, dairy, and eggs live better lives on pasture and are fed less processed diets.

Make the switch to seasonal eating!

When you shop locally and eat seasonally, you’re not just enhancing your diet with better tasting and more nutrient dense food — you’re making a conscious choice to support sustainable farming, the health of your household, the environment, and your local economy; you're contributing to a more sustainable, environmentally friendly, and economically supportive food system. Find a local farm near you now — preorder fresh, seasonal food on GrownBy marketplace!

Memorable meals & strong communities begin with GrownBy.

GrownBy makes it possible for everyone to eat local. With one account, you can support multiple local farmers in your area. Join a CSA, subscribe for the season, or buy items a la carte. It's like having the farmers market in your pocket! Preorder farm-fresh food on GrownBy.

Create your GrownBy account for free, and start shopping seasonal food near you now. Grow with us at @farmgenerationscoop and @grownbyapp.

Savor the Seasons: 5 Benefits of Eating Seasonally & Locally Grown Food