Shopping for local produce in winter can be a challenge but it’s not impossible.
Many farmers harvest root vegetables that can make a winter menu just as comforting and delicious as what we have in other seasons of the year. These vegetables include rutabaga, turnips, beets, celery root, potatoes, squash of all sorts, yams, sweet potatoes, carrots, cabbage, apples, garlic, leeks, and onions. In addition, there is a plethora of other locally grown produce that has been frozen. During the winter farmers will often sell vegetables in bulk at a reduced price.
When I shop, I try to patronize local businesses at least within one hundred miles from where I live. I have located produce, dairy, agriculture, and apiary farms that I can visit year-round. For generations, several of these small farms have been implementing sustainable, responsible, and ethical growing principles.
Local food resources may be closer than you think.
Find local farmers’ markets, CSAs, and agritourism near you.
Visit the USDA’s Local Food Directories
There are many options for growing your herbs, microgreens, or mushrooms on a sunny windowsill during the winter months.
If you like fresh mushrooms, check out our blog on growing mushrooms with Northspore growing kits. Snipping your fresh herbs and adding them to your recipes bring out an incredible aromatic sensation in the kitchen. This can be a great experience to share with your family, friends, and neighbors.
Teach your children how to garden indoors.
Children love to get their hands dirty. Gardening indoors is a fun way to teach children how to grow food. Then you can cook something together that you grew during the winter season, setting up an excellent experience for the spring and summer seasons when that joyful experience heads outside.
Try seed resources such as Johnny’s Selected Seeds, High Mowing Organic Seeds, and Renee’s Garden. These non-genetically modified organisms (GMO) trusted brands offer heirloom varieties and plentiful tasting harvests. You’ll find helpful videos and resources on how to begin your journey at gardening in whatever area of the country you live.
“Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and a talk beside the fire: it is time for home.”– Edith Sitwell
One of the ways to enjoy the abundance of plant-based comforting food with family and friends is to host a potluck dinner and board game night. Share with us some of your delightful plant-based winter recipes or try some of our recipes. We would love to hear from you.
This experience was shared by OPL Naturalist Yvonne Dwyer.
Learn more about Yvonne.
