There are still places in the world where people eat around the seasons. When I grew up for example, think rural northern France, it was the norm, well at least for my mother it was and still is.
She goes to one farm for her eggs, to another for her chicken, her veg are from another and it goes on. The same applied to the fishmonger who has a very seasonal offer a few days a week.
She knows when produce are in season but also when they switch to other countries. And if she wants to buy a pineapple which obviously does not grow in France, she would know what time of year to get it and where from.
Now, 2 things comes to my mind as I write this : firstly, how did she learn this ? And secondly, is her driving around really the best ethical and economical way to shop?
Firstly though, why eat with the seasons ? For me, if you can see your produce on a tree or in a field, then surely, it feels natural to eat it. Nature is providing food on a cycle and we ought to tune in with that.
Locally grown food feels right, tastes better, definitely fresher and more nutritious.
It also feels right to be supportive of the local community.
Eating food from afar has a carbon footprint as energy and CO2 emissions required for growing and transporting the food are greater. And not eating exotic produce saves also money as usually a premium.
So is my mum driving around to get the fresher ingredients the best economical and sustainable way …probably not but compared to buying most of your products all year around without glancing at the country of origin on the sticker…I’d say yes actually!
In a world highly digitalised, governed it seems by social medias and the news, where a virus similar to the flu creates havoc, where extreme religious groups are still tearing people lives apart, in a world where the poor seems to get poorer and where refugees have to fight to survive in ‘civilised countries’, then our connection with nature’s cycles, with the passing of time has never been more relevant to me.
Memories attached to great flavours gives something to look forward to the next season and nature surprises us some years by not being as abundant as the last. And that is in itself is a great reminder that of the power of nature, of climate change too sadly and that nothing ever stays the same.
So check your local greengrocer, the local farms and farmers markets; check the seasonal calendar for your country ,grow your own if you can. And yes, have your exotics ( I certainly do) but try to do it mindfully.
Oh, and where did my mum got to know her seasons : from her mum. And from living in a time when it is just what you did.
“Nature gives to every time and season some beauties of its own.” C Dickens
