Check out this May Food Guide to eating in-season! Fresh produce always tastes the best–whether it’s from a farmer’s market, neighborhood grocery store, or especially your own garden. Eating seasonal produce also offers a host of health benefits, along with environmental and economic perks. Here are some key advantages:
Health Benefits
- Nutritional Value: Seasonal fruits and vegetables are harvested at their peak ripeness, which means they’re fresher and often richer in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
- Better Taste: Produce that’s in season naturally tastes better—sweeter, juicier, or more vibrant—which can make healthy eating more enjoyable.
- Reduced Preservatives: Since seasonal items are often grown and sold locally, they don’t require long storage periods or chemical treatments to preserve them.
Bonus Benefits
- Environmentally Friendly: Eating locally and seasonally reduces the carbon footprint of transporting out-of-season goods.
- Cost Effective: Seasonal and local produce is often cheaper due to reduced transportation and storage costs.
Check out this May Food Guide for a bounty of fresh seasonal produce!
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According to the May Food Guide, here are some fruits and vegetables that are typically in season during this month:
Fruits
- Blackberries
- Blueberries
- Raspberries
- Strawberries
- Cherries
- Apricots
- Plums
- Peaches
- Nectarines
- Mangoes
Vegetables
- Asparagus
- Artichokes
- Broccoli
- Kale
- Spinach
- Rhubarb
- Peas
- Bell peppers
- Zucchini
- Sweet Onions
However, seasonal produce varies by region due to differences in climate, geography, and agricultural practices. Here’s how these factors influence what’s in season:
Regional Influences
- Climate: Warmer regions have longer growing seasons and may produce tropical fruits like mangoes or avocados year-round, while cooler regions might focus on root vegetables and hardy greens in colder months.
- Latitude: Higher latitudes with shorter summers tend to have limited seasonal produce, but berries, squash, and hardy vegetables are common. Lower latitudes enjoy a wider variety of fruits and vegetables all year.
- Geography: Coastal areas might favor crops like citrus and strawberries, while inland areas may excel in grains and nuts. Mountainous regions often produce specific types of fruits, like apples or cherries.
- Local Agriculture: Regional farming traditions influence what crops are grown in abundance—for example, the Midwest in the U.S. is known for corn, while California produces a variety of fruits and vegetables.
Examples Across Regions
- Arizona: Warm climate means May brings fresh melons, tomatoes, and zucchini.
- California: Strawberries and artichokes are big hits in the spring.
- Pacific Northwest: Cooler weather favors asparagus, kale, and peas.
- Tropical Regions: Exotic fruits like papayas, guavas, and lychees may thrive.
Knowing your region’s seasonal produce can help you make better choices at the farmers’ market or grocery store. What’s something in your area that you’ve enjoyed eating this season?
