Dear friends,
The beginning of the summer months in San Francisco to me means it is finally peach season. I eagerly anticipate the Kashiwase Farm stall at the Ferry Building Farmers Market to start laying out their abundant varieties of peaches, nectarines, and pluots. Not only do the fuzzy balls of pinks and oranges vary in color, the different kinds each also offer a distinctive sweetness. My favorite is the Arctic Queen - a white nectarine that is extremely sweet without any hint of acidity or tartness. I could go on endlessly about how obsessed I am about eating these peaches and nectarines on their own or adding them to my salads and crumble pies.
The produce from the farmers markets are often more flavorful than what I can get at the grocery store. Because fruits and vegetables have had time to ripen from the vine rather than being plucked earlier to get transported, local produce is fresher and tastier. Choosing local eliminates the carbon footprint required to transport food to us from far away. Through buying directly from the farmers, I have learned a lot about how eating seasonally and locally is better for my health, the surrounding farming community, as well as the environment. I love talking to the farmers, growers, and passionate workers at the various stalls to learn about where my food comes from.
It is easy to take the diversity of produce from supermarkets for granted, as we have access to whatever we want all year round. By centering my diet around what is available in my local area, I have developed a deeper appreciation for seasonal produce and the global food systems that provide so much choice for us consumers. Eating with the seasons is a practice where we can consciously gravitate towards local produce while still having food items from other parts of the world play a more supplemental role.
I made this website so that it can become a resource to learn what's in season and where to shop locally at farmers markets. I hope to inspire you to have fun cooking with and eating seasonal produce, whether it is a homemade peach jam or eggplant lasagna!
Love, Floflo
Seasonal eating refers to the practice of consuming foods that are naturally harvested or available during a specific season of the year. It involves choosing and enjoying foods that are in season and locally grown, rather than relying on out-of-season produce that has been transported over long distances or grown in controlled environments like greenhouses.
The availability of different fruits, vegetables, and other food items varies throughout the year due to factors such as climate, weather conditions, and agricultural cycles. Seasonal eating recognizes and respects these natural cycles, emphasizing the consumption of foods when they are at their peak in terms of flavor, nutritional content, and affordability.
By embracing seasonal eating, individuals can benefit in several ways:
Made with love for Pachamama 🌎