July: The Season of Plenty

We picked the easiest month for our local food starting point. July comes with the garden in full swing and farmer's markets booming. So many foods are in season, it should be hard not to eat locally. Unfortunately though, grocery stores give us little indication of what is season and what isn't. Even large farmer's markets that are open year round sometimes offer us tantalizing choices of things not local....yes, even in July! So, how are we to know what is seasonal?

There are several ways to be a prepared, educated and local buyer. First, if you have a small, community farmer's market (like Matthews Community Farmers market) close by, this would be a great place to start and give you a general idea of what is in season. Browse the stands and take notes if necessary.

Second, if you don't have a small community farmer's market available or if a larger farmer's market is more convenient (such as Charlotte Regional or Kings Drive Farmer's Market) you can still buy in-season produce, but you need to do your homework in advance. I have recently added a new sidebar with what is in season, but if you don't remember everything, a general rule to remember for the summer months is that if you see a farmer here selling citrus (oranges, lemons, limes) or tropical fruits (pineapple, mangoes, papayas, avocados) it should raise a red flag. Make sure you ask about anything you want to buy. Often times I have asked, "what of your produce is locally grown?" and the response I get is "everything". Since, I had done my homework and knew that those asparagus he was selling can't begin to grow here in NC in the hot month of July, I knew to ask further and specifically, "where were the bell peppers grown?" for example.

Third, grow your own garden. I know this sounds like a lot, but you can have some simple large pots with various produce in them. When planted correctly, you will have your own reminder of what things are local. Some farmers are able to coax their produce out a little earlier than others or to hang on a little later, but you will at least understand the parameters (such as you can't grow bananas in Charlotte).