EVA BUTO
Science Editor
evie@psu.edu

If you live far from the Equator, the weather often varies in a four-season pattern. The current weather can also affect the pricing of fruits and vegetables at the supermarket. Before science was used in agricultural development, it was near impossible to find any produce out of season. Now, most fruits and vegetables are available year round due to the invention of greenhouses and genetic engineering to make heartier produce that can be grown in harsher climates. Urban development also allows for farmers in different regions to ship their produce in from varying climates. For example, 95% of avocados produced in the United States are grown in California. In order to ensure that the fruits are not spoiled when they arrive at the supermarket, they are picked before they are ripe and ripen during transportation. 

However, there are drawbacks to transporting produce over such long distances. The main disadvantage is the price. Shipping produce across the country or overseas is costly in both gas and labor. To offset these costs, the price of imported, off-season goods are often higher. Another disadvantage is the flavor of the produce can suffer. Many people report that fruit that is harvested early is less sweet or flavorful. The environmental impacts of shipping large amounts of produce across long distances cannot be ignored.

So how do you implement seasonal foods into your diet? The first thing is to know what is in season where you live. Different regional areas have different fruits and vegetables at their peak at different times of the year. In the northeast United States, here is a list of fruits and vegetables currently in season: beets, brussel sprouts, mushrooms, parsnips, potatoes, squash, and clementines. This produce is likely to be more flavorful and cheaper right now. Many fruits and berries are currently out of season, and you may have noticed that the ones currently available at your local grocery store are more expensive and less appealing than usual. Although they are still available, the cheapest way to get fruits and vegetables out of season is buying them canned or frozen. They are normally harvested in their peak seasons and frozen fruits make a great addition to desserts and smoothies.