Being born and raised in the Midwest, I can’t say I've experienced too much adventurous produce. My neighborhood was surrounded by cornfields in almost every direction. I wish I were kidding, but this is the truth. Corn was literally everywhere. And no, I am not a farmer.

So, while the freshest produce I ever got in Illinois was mostly corn from the local farm, that corn was always the best at the end of summer, during its peak season. I knew exactly what farm it was coming from and that is was freshly picked, which made all of the difference to me in both taste and quality.

But like mostly everyone, we want the foods we want when we want them. In saying that, I mean it’s almost too easy to go to the grocery store and grab a carton of strawberries during the middle of winter even if they’ve been transported from across the country and are completely out of season.

People, myself included, often ignore the seasonal produce displayed in the grocery store either because we find it unappealing or it’s just not what we’re in the mood for. Since virtually any kind of produce you could ever want is available year-round, what’s the point in eating what’s in season?

Eating seasonally has a ton of benefits most people don’t realize. Maybe we’re in the mood for a peach in the middle of winter, but why eat it if it won’t taste as good as it would during its peak season?

Let’s face it — if you eat a peach in the dead of winter, it’ll be hard and flavorless, nothing like it would taste during the summer. Fruits and vegetables that are in season taste the best because they have had the chance to fully ripen, and that’s key to freshness.

It’s also healthier. These seasonal foods are closer to their peak freshness and are higher in nutritional value because they haven’t lost any vitamin content from being picked too soon. Foods grown seasonally are also often organic, so for those of you who fear GMOs, eating seasonal foods is the way to go. Another added health benefit is how it can expand the variety of foods in your diet. Experiment with new recipes and reap the benefits of what the season is giving you.

Choosing to eat seasonally is not only beneficial for your health, but also for local farmers in your area. Buying seasonally doesn’t always mean you’re receiving the freshest produce, but buying from local farmers ensures the fruits and veggies you are purchasing have been treated with love and care. Shopping at your local farmer's market helps support business, which circulates throughout the community.

Not only does purchasing seasonal, local produce benefit the community as a whole, it also promotes sustainability. Local foods do not need to be shipped across the country, meaning less transportation and less pollution. How can anyone dispute eating seasonal and local produce if it means supporting the community while simultaneously reducing your carbon footprint?

Eating seasonally has major health perks, but it also can have a huge impact on local businesses and the earth as a whole. Simply put, it’s the right and delicious choice to make.

Since it’s fall, here are a few autumnal fruits and veggies to add to your diet this month!

  • Butternut squash, Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, spinach, pumpkin, apples, pears, mushrooms, cauliflower, fennel, collards, beets, cranberries, parsnips (just to name a few!)