WHAT IS SEASONAL FOOD? Fruit and vegetables naturally grow in cycles, and ripen during a certain season each year. When they are ripe, they are at their best nutritionally and taste-wise. Cherries, for example, are ripe and juicy in June in the south of England; so cherries are ‘in season’ in June. British asparagus starts popping up in fields in the spring, tomatoes and red berries ripen in late summer, sweetcorn and pumpkins in the autumn, and cabbages and root vegetables reach their best in the winter months. If you eat ‘seasonally’, you are eating fruit and vegetables during the time of year they are naturally at their best.

Modern technology means we can buy things like strawberries and apples in supermarkets all year round, but that’s because they are either being grown in greenhouses, or flown in from warmer countries where they are picked before they are ripe and can fully develop their flavours.

HOW CAN I FIND OUT WHICH FOODS ARE IN SEASON? The easiest way is to get your hands on a decent seasonal chart that shows you which foods are at their best during which months. You can also look at www.eattheseasons.co.uk; it has lots of information about seasonal food in the UK and is updated weekly.

WHERE CAN I BUY SEASONAL FOOD? Farmers’ markets and local food markets near you are usually the best places to start. Websites like www.foodloversbritain.com also have information about good-quality local and regional food producers and suppliers, as well as details of farmers’ markets and food events across Britain.

Many supermarkets stock in-season British produce from British farms so if you can’t make it to the markets, check your seasonal chart before you hit the shops. If you see that strawberries are in season that month, look at the labels as you shop and make sure the strawberries you buy at the supermarket are from a British farm and not flown in from another country.

© Jamie Oliver. Illustrations by Peter Hamilton.

JAMIESHOMECOOKINGSKILLS.COM

© Jamie Oliver. Illustrations by Peter Hamilton.

WHY SHOULD YOU BUY SEASONAL FRUIT AND VEG? Food that’s in season is generally fresher, tastier and better for you than food grown out of season. It’s had time to grow and develop all of its nutrients and flavours. It is often cheaper, as it is usually grown locally and there is lots of it around.

Eating with the seasons means you can look forward to having things at their best. This gives you a bit of variety because you won’t be eating the same ingredients all year round.

If you buy seasonally, you’re also likely to be supporting local farmers and suppliers. If you’re shopping at a local or farmers market you’ll be able to ask them exactly where they get their produce from.

JAMIESHOMECOOKINGSKILLS.COM