In all I am, do, and will write, my aim is to hit God's mark. I will have moments of being misguided as I am not perfect, but know that I serve a God that loves me through it all.
"I can't afford to buy organic." It amuses me sometimes that many of these very same people saying this are holding a four dollar daily latte, smoking a cigarette, drinking a beer or going out to eat two or three times a week.
Yes, it is affordable to buy organic. One just needs to put it into perspective. Believe me, you'll be a whole lot healthier and possibly save on doctor trips as well. So, do you want to buy that $1.25 candy bar or soda, or do you want to pay an extra 40 cents on organic broccoli?
I'm not saying that you have to buy all organic. But, I do believe that it is good stewardship to purchase the best that one can afford, especially when it comes to healthy foods.
One way to save on the cost of organic produce is to create one's menu around what is in season. Simply don't buy something if it is not in season. It will be way over-priced. The catch is to figure out what is in season. It can get confusing due to the fact that produce can be trucked in from all over the world. So, what is really in season in your area? I've been looking into this and have come up with a list that will hopefully be helpful to some of my readers.
I am no expert. In fact, some things on this list I've never even heard of...like some of the kinds of melons and squash. Also, I am assuming the varying months of seasonality is due to varying variety of certain fruits and veggies or regional growing seasons. The list is referring to peak season growing periods. You'll find the produce to be of better quality and far more worth the price...especially in taste.
Be flexible as growing seasons can adjust a bit year to year due to weather conditions. Watch the news for floods and frosts in growing areas as this effects quality and prices. For instance, in our area right now, there is a shortage of bananas because the supply area has suffered from floods. Prices are up. Earlier this year, the quality of oranges wasn't worth purchasing them at all because of a frost during peak growing season.
So, I have gotten as far as learning what is in season. The list is not exhaustive. Let me know what I have missed, and I'll add to it. I hope to some day focus on buying more locally as well, so my personal list will eventually adjust to that. In the meantime, I hope this list helps you along in making the steps to purchasing better quality food for you and your family and making it worth the cost:
Acorn squash Jan., Mar.-Dec.
Apples Sept.-Oct.
Apricots June-July
Artichokes March-May
Asparagus April-May
Avocados Jan., June-Aug.
Bananas All months
Banana squash Oct.-Nov.
Beets June-Oct.
Bell peppers Aug.-Sept.
Blackberries June-Aug.
Blueberries July-Aug.
Broccoli All months
Brussel sprouts April, Aug.-Sept., Nov.-Dec.
Buttercup squash Jan.-Mar., Sept.-Dec.
Butternut squash Jan.-Oct., Dec.
Cabbage Jan.-April, Nov.-Dec.
Cantaloupe June-Sept.
Carrots All months
Casaba melon Sept.-Oct.
Cauliflower Jan.-Oct., Dec.
Chard June-Sept.
Chili peppers Aug.-Sept.
Celery Jan.-March, May
Cherries June, Aug.
Chicory April, Nov.
Collards Jan.-Mar., Dec.
Corn-on-the-cob May-June, Aug.-Sept.
Cranberries Sept., Nov.
Crenshaw melon Aug.-Sept.
Crookneck squash June-Aug.
Cucumbers April-June, Aug.-Sept.
Dates Nov.
Eggplant July-Aug.
Endive April, Nov.
Escarole April, Nov.
Figs June-Oct.
Garlic March-April, Aug.-Oct.
Grapefruit April-July, Oct.-Dec.
Grapes June-Nov.
Green beans May-Aug.
Green onions Jan.-Sept., Nov.-Dec.
Honeydew melon June-Oct.
Hubbard squash Dec.
Kale Jan.-Feb.
Kiwi fruit May-Dec.
Kohlrabi June-July
Kumquats Jan.-June, Nov.-Dec.
Leeks May, Sept.-Nov.
Lemons Jan., March-Dec.
Lettuce March, Dec.
Limes Jan.-Feb., May-Dec.
Mushrooms Feb.-April, Nov.-Dec.
Mustard greens Jan.
Nectarines July
Okra July-Oct.
Onions All months
Oranges Jan.-April, Dec.
Papayas May
Parsley All months
Parsnips Oct.-Dec.
Peaches Aug.
Pears Jan.-April, Aug.-Dec.
Peas May-Aug.
Persian melon Aug.-Sept.
Persimmons Oct.-Nov.
Pineapple March-June
Plums May-Aug.
Pomegranates Oct.
Potatoes All months
Pumpkins Oct.
Radishes April, June-July
Raspberries June-July
Rhubarb April-May
Rutabagas Feb.-March, Sept.-Dec.
Scallop squash June-Aug.
Shallots July-Oct.
Spinach March-June
Strawberries April-July
Sweet potatoes Nov.-Dec.
Tangelos Dec.
Tangerines Dec.
Tomatoes June-Aug.
Turnips March, Sept.-Dec.
Watercress June-July
Watermelon June-Aug.
Yams Nov.-Dec.
Zucchini June-Nov.
So, now if I could just figure out the best times to stock up on spices/herbs, nuts and gluten-free grains. Anyone want to help me with that? Got a source to point me to?
I enjoy cookbooks that help me to shop and prepare foods that are in season. You might like this one: Simply in Season.
http://www.azurestandard.com/product.php?id=BK436
