It's no joke that April is one of our favorite months of the year! On our farms, we have plenty of seed sowing and planting to do, but it’s also time to rejoice in harvesting our late winter and early spring crops. At home, our dinner plates start to become decorated with the unique flavors and colors of seasonal greens and fresh bulk, including mustard greens, green onions, turnips, leeks and beets. With Easter—and, depending on where you are in the country, Patriot's Day—those who celebrate also have a chance to gather the family around the table for unforgettable holiday meals.
Eating Seasonal
This April, we want to help you make the most out of spring produce. Why? There's growing evidence that seasonal food is better for your health, the environment, your palate and your pocket. That's right! Foods grown and consumed during the appropriate seasons are more flavorful and nutrient-dense, and because they are harvested at the right time, they don't have to travel as far to get to your grocery bag, which in turn reduces carbon-fuel emissions. Because seasonal greens are more abundant in the market, they also tend to be available at lower prices. Now that's a magic combo!
If you're shopping for seasonal produce this month, here are some easy (and delicious!) recipes we recommend you keep in mind:
Pro Tip: DYK you can search for recipes on our website by veggie, course, or theme? Click here to give it a try.
Reducing Food Waste
You can't reap all the benefits of seasonal food, however, without working to reduce food waste. Brace yourself for some surprising statistics here: Data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows that the average U.S. household wastes 32% of its food! In money terms, wasted food amounts to $240 billion—or $1,866 per household. And holidays/national days (we see you, Easter!) are notorious for the amount of food that gets discarded.
One way you can reduce waste and help minimize your environmental footprint this month is to get creative with your leftover food by incorporating them in new recipes. Have too much ham from Easter dinner? Use it up in this delicious Holiday Casserole or this Lucky Ham Turnip Greens recipe. Not sure what to do with the extra carrots? Revamp them with our Ginger, Carrot, Raisin & Collard Salad. You don't have to be eating the same holiday food for days or throw them away to be able to diversify your post-holiday meal experiences!
Follow these tips, and be sure to let us know in the comments or on social media how you're celebrating the arrival of spring by eating fresh, seasonal produce and reducing your food waste!