Savor the Season: A primer on the concept of seasonal eating

People in their 20s and 30s are flocking to farmers' markets armed with a desire to eat healthier, reduce their carbon footprint and support local family farms. Once there, however, they frequently pass by piles of okra, turnips or chard. Shoppers in this age group are often one or more generations removed from the era when diverse home gardens were common. As such they have little personal experience in preparing many fruits and vegetables available at markets today.

Baby Boomers and Generation Xers often have busy lives full of work, family and other obligations. Meal planning and pulling together a shopping list can be a challenge and recipes need to be simple and satisfying.

Senior citizens are another category of committed market shoppers. Eagerly purchasing the traditional fruits and vegetables once grown in their own gardens, they are often confounded when introduced to newer crops such as kohlrabi, edimame or bok choy.

What is common amongst the majority of all market shoppers is an insufficient grasp of and appreciation for seasonal eating. We've all grown accustomed to relying on a core group of fruits and vegetable for meal planning. Grocery stores aim to always have certain produce items available and are often ill-equipped or unwilling to carry locally-raised seasonal crops. As a result the diversity of fruits and vegetables in our diets is small in comparison to what is available at farmers' markets today.

The Savor the Season Program seeks to expose market shoppers to the concept of eating by the calendar. While some vegetables such as summer squash and cucumbers are available at Kansas farmers markets for many months, others like blueberries and asparagus make only brief appearances. Eating seasonally means enjoying the ripest and freshest food at the height of its natural harvest time. It means supporting local farmers who transport their goods the shortest distance to your plate. It also means experimenting with delicious foods you might not otherwise consider adding to a meal!

We'll be highlighting ten fruits and vegetables this market season through full color cards, FYI tips sheets and market events. We even have a Facebook Page; click over and become a fan.

The first five cards, available now at participating Savor the Season markets (see the full list below), provide tips on selecting, storing, and preparing produce as well great recipes The Savor the Season: Spring cards highlight beets, lettuce and sugar snap peas while the Savor the Season: Summer cards focus on cherry tomatoes and onions. Additional cards will be available by the end of July.

Participating markets are encouraged to work with local extension agents, Master Food Programs and dieticians/nutritionists to offer monthly samplings of highlighted fruits and vegetables at market. If you might be interesting in volunteer opportunities in support of the Savor the Season Program, please check your local market's listing in the  directory. There you can learn if your market is seeking volunteers (or sponsors!) and get contact info for the market manager.

Savor the Season Markets

Atchison Farmers Market
Concordia Farmers Market
Downtown Lawrence Farmers Market
Emporia Farmers Market
Garnett Farmers Market
Independence Farmers Market
Kansas Grown Farmers Market
KCK Green Market
Leavenworth Farmers Market
Manhattan Farmers Market
Old Town Farmers Market
Reno County Farmers Market