I always recommend eating fruits and vegetables when they are in season in your local area. By doing this, you are consuming the products when they are freshest and therefor most nutrient dense. In addition, you are supporting the local economy and by eating in season, you are in harmony with nature which is a fundamental principal of health within the Chinese Medicine system.
Let’s look at an example. It is always possible to find strawberries in your local grocery store, but not all strawberries are created equal. If you buy them in the winter, they are likely grown in the southern hemisphere in countries such as Peru or Chili. I don’t have anything against these countries or their growing practices (as long as they are organic), but to sell a strawberry that is grown 5,443 miles away it has to be picked before it is ripe (therefor without fully developed nutrients and anti-oxidants). In addition, the growers select varieties whose best quality is the ability to withstand being knocked around during transport, rather than varieties whose best quality is sweetness and juiciness. Any think of the impact on the environment of transporting those poor strawberries such a long way.
We live in Phoenix, Arizona, and we have a unique microclimate which defines when fruits and vegetables are in season. If you are unsure, you can check your local farmers market, and ask the farmer or staff that help you. You can also check out this website: http://fillyourplate.org/produce-season.html. Remember, your local grocery store gets their produce from all over the world, so just because an item is in stock does not mean it is in season.
Oh, and if you are dying for strawberries in December, your best bet is to buy them frozen. Frozen fruits and vegetable are usually picked at the peak of harvest and frozen quickly. They are your next best bet if you cannot get your foods grown locally.
