As I think you already know, eating fruits and vegetables is the key to good health! Rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, these foods are undoubtedly great for us. And if i was to tell you that eating fruits and vegetables in season is not only better for your health, but also for the planet and your wallet? How would you feel about that?

LESS CHEMICALS…

Every fruit and vegetable has its season. In the consumer society that we live in, we are pushing and pushing producers to grow foods all year round. And how do they manage that? By using numerous pesticides, artificial light and artificial nutrients or importing from far way countries where the phytosanitary rules are not always of the same standards as in Europe. In short, the conditions used for the cultivation of these foods are artificially reconstituted. There’s nothing that respects the plant, and even less so, the environment …

 

AND CHEAPER…

There’s no need to spell it out, you’ve already understand that recreating a whole artificial environment is expensive: more chemicals, more electricity, more transport, more importation taxes and labour. Of course, all these costs are then passed onto the consumer.

TASTIER!

A product grown in the correct season soaks up the benefits from the sun and natural nutrients from the soil. Moreover, when they are picked at maturity, fruits and vegetables are much tastier because they have had the time to develop all of their flavours. Whereas, when they come from a distant country, they are picked before maturity so they can withstand the duration of the journey. A product out of season therefore, has less nutrients, less fragrance and less flavour …

NUTRITIONAL NEEDS FILLED AT THE RIGHT TIME!

Nature is a brilliant thing; the human body’s needs vary according to the seasons. In the summer, when the weather is hot, we naturally need more water. Which is perfect, because summer fruits and vegetables are rich in water (melon, watermelon, salads). During the winter, the immune system needs a boost so we need more strength to fight the cold. So winter fruits and vegetables are richer in energy and vitamin C.

AND ESPECIALLY MUCH MORE NUTRIENTS..

Transport degrades the nutritional properties of products. Once picked, foods lose their properties over time: nutrients deteriorate. It’s therefore better to eat them quickly, which is obviously impossible if fruits and vegetables are crossing the globe before ending up on our plates.

THE ADVANTAGE OF FROZEN…

It is true, that it is not always easy to navigate your way around seasonal fruit and veg and let’s face it, we can’t be waiting 6 months before eating our favourite fruit! Don’t panic, frozen foods are a good alternative, if, and only if, the products are frozen soon after harvest. This is the case with Picard® which guarantees freezing its products within 3 hours after harvest. In order to make the most of the nutritional value of these foods, it is important to cook them using the right method.