Fresh Greens

Autumn Chill Brings Food Mile Faux Pas

By Maura Judkis

Posted: October 28, 2008

I bought some asparagus yesterday and then regretted it. Not because I don't like asparagus—it's great sautéed in garlic and olive oil—but because being the city-dweller that I am, I hadn't realized that asparagus is a spring crop. This means that the asparagus I ate traveled hundreds of miles to get from warmer climes to my local grocery store.

I found out my food mile faux pas when I checked out the Daily Green's "Food Mile Secrets Revealed," where I learned that in colder months, someone who wants to eat locally should avoid these five worst offenders: blueberries, grapes, peaches, asparagus, and canned fruits and vegetables (which come from all over the world). Daily Green also has a slideshow of what's in season at the farmer's market—go for pomegranates, pears, brussels sprouts, carrots, squash, and eggplant—complete with recipes. Next time, I'll reach for the sweet potatoes.

Yes, Maura, there is a Santa Clause

and a tooth fairy and a Mary Poppins. Don't let somebody destroy your faith in wonderful fresh gardens growing in the snow and ice around you.

And Charlie really does now own the Willie Wonka chocolate factory.

And those wonderful tropical fruits really do grow in those hermetically sealed cans in those magical gardens just outside of your town all year round.

It's a wonderful magical world we live in in this country.

Keep the faith, baby.

HillbillyBill of TN @ Oct 29, 2008 09:24:19 AM

Yes, Maura, there is a Santa Clause

and a tooth fairy and a Mary Poppins. Don't let somebody destroy your faith in wonderful fresh gardens growing in the snow and ice around you.

And Charlie really does now own the Willie Wonka chocolate factory.

And those wonderful tropical fruits really do grow in those hermetically sealed cans in those magical gardens just outside of your town all year round.

It's a wonderful magical world we live in in this country.

Keep the faith, baby.

HillbillyBill of TN @ Oct 29, 2008 09:24:18 AM

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Fresh Greens

Fresh Greens

Maura Judkis is a producer at U.S. News. She writes about the green movement and looks for ways to be an ecofriendly consumer without breaking the bank. Send her your green tips.

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