So why should you buy and eat locally grown food? I'm not going to get on my soapbox and preach to you, I just know that I do it as often as I can, and I rather like it. There is the argument that living closer to the source means that the food is fresher, not to mention that buying local is also good for your local economy helping family farmers stay in business.

Some may argue that this is just a trend, if so, I reckon it to be a great one. There are hundreds of farmer's markets popping up in dense urban landscapes and beyond. The chance to interact with the grower is something these regions were sorely lacking - it's an education for the buyer and a source of income for the farmer. In the short time i've bought local i've learned new and exciting ways to cook veggies I previously just 'steamed' as well as 'discovered' fruit and veg I never knew existed. It enriches your mind and body - you can't put a price on that!

Below are charts of what's in season across the USA - check back each season for updates.
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter" src="http://www.remain-silent.com/cm/usamap_Ecoast.png" alt="east coast usa" width="250" height="147" />East Coast</p>
<strong>Northern States { NE to Virginia }:
July: </strong> apples / blackberries / beets / brocoli / blueberries / cabbage / cantaloupe / carrots / cauliflower / cherries / corn / cucumber / eggplant / lettuce / lima beans / nectarines / peaches / peas / potatoes / radishes / raspberries / rhubarb / rutabaga / snap peas / squash / tomatoes / watermelon /  <br>
<strong>August:</strong> as above + grapes / okra / onions / pears / turnips<br>
<strong>September:</strong> all the above + brussels sprouts / pumpkin / spinach

<strong>Southern States { N. Carolina to Florida }:
July: </strong> asian pears / avocados / blackberries / blueberry / cabbage / cantaloupe / cauliflower / cucumbers / eggplant / grapes / grapefruit / lime beans / mushrooms / okra / onions / oranges / peaches / peas / pecans / potatoes / snap peas / squash /  sweet potatoes / radishes / scallions / sweet potatoes / tomatoes / watermelon<br>
<strong>August:</strong> as above + apples / grapes <br>
<strong>September:</strong> as above   

<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter" src="http://www.remain-silent.com/cm/usamap_WestCoast.png" alt="west coast usa" width="250" height="147" />West Coast</p>
<strong>Northern States { PNW }:
July: </strong> apples / apricots / asparagus / beets / blackberries / blueberry / brocoli / cabbage / carrots / cauliflower / celery / cherries / corn / cucumber / currants / eggplant / nectarines / onions / peaches / peas / potatoes / radishes / raspberries / rutabaga / snap peas / spinach / strawberries / squash / tomatoes / turnips<br>
<strong>August:</strong> as above + pears <br>
<strong>September:</strong> as above + asian pears + brussels sprouts

<strong>Southern States { California }:
July: </strong> apples / apricots / asian pears / asparagus / avocados / beets / blackberries / blueberries / broccoli / brussel sprouts / cabbage / carrots / cauliflower / celery / cherries / cucumbers / eggplant / fennel / grapefruit / grapes / lettuce / mushrooms / nectarines / okra / onions / oranges / peaches / pears / peas / pistachios / potatoes / radishes / raspberries / rhubarb / scallions / snap Peas / spinach / squash / strawberries / tomatoes<br>
<strong>August:</strong> as above - apricots
<strong>September :</strong> as above + bok choy / cauliflower / kale / sweet potatoes 

<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter" src="http://www.remain-silent.com/cm/usamap_MidWest.png" alt="midwest usa" width="250" height="147" /> MidWest</p>
<strong>Northern States { Montana to Colorado }:
July: </strong> apples / broccoli / cabbage / carrots / cherries / onions / potatoes / raspberries / snap peas / strawberries / tomatoes<br>
<strong>August:</strong> as above + corn / peaches <br>
<strong>September: </strong>as above 

<strong>Southern States { New Mexico to Texas } :
July: </strong> apricots / beets / blackberries / blueberries / cabbage / cantaloupe / cabbage / carrots / cherries / cucumbers / eggplant / lettuce / nectarines / okra / onions / mushroom / pears / peaches / peas / potatoes / raspberries / snap peas / squash / sweet potatoes / tomatoes / turnips / watermelon <br>
<strong>August:</strong> as above + apples / fennel
<strong>September :</strong> as above + broccoli / cabbage / pecan / potato / pumpkin / radish 
<p style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><em>info sourced from the <a href="http://www.simplesteps.org/eat-local">NRDC's simple steps</a></em></span></p>