Seasonal Eating Guide: Winter Edition

Enjoy healthful, delicious local food all year round!

Seasonal eating. It’s in our name. It’s who we are. And it means eating what grows locally each season of the year – all four of them. Spring, summer, fall, and yes, even winter.

Right now in Virginia and Maryland it’s cold outside. Leaves have fallen and we’ve already had snow. Other farmers markets may have closed for the winter, but with Seasonal Roots seasonal food delivery service, you can still eat local. Our stocked cupboards are never bare!

Many of our farmers are still farming – some in the fields, some in greenhouses. Our food artisans are still cooking and baking. All through the winter, the Seasonal Roots online farmers market provides fresh produce delivery right to your doorstep, plus dairy, meats, baked goods, and artisan fare – all good for you and the planet, all year long.

So settle in with our Guide to Eating Seasonally: WINTER Edition!

It’s got tips, recipes, and more to help you enjoy the local comfort-food pleasures of seasonal eating this winter.

IN THIS ISSUE

BENEFITS & USES of Winter’s Surprising Bounty (plus recipes!)
ORGANIC vs SUSTAINABLE vs LOCAL – Which Is Best?
3 Reasons Why REAL FOOD Is the Best Food
Try This Easy NEW YEARS RESOLUTION

“Right-from-the-farm groceries — you can really TASTE THE DIFFERENCE.” — Hamilton

BENEFITS & USES of Winter’s Surprising Bounty

Below are some of the health benefits of seasonal eating. Even in winter, it’s amazing how much local produce farming is still going on! Most of it is grown in local fields and greenhouses. Some is grown further south, but still in our region.

Because all our produce is harvested nearby for home delivery, it’s packed with nutrients and flavor and really good for you. Much better than produce that has to travel a long way to the grocery store.

Need some inspiration for turning all this local bounty into fresh, delicious meals? Check out some of the Seasonal Roots team’s favorite recipes HERE.

BEETS

BENEFITS: Vitamin C, folate, potassium, magnesium, with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
USES: Roast alone or with other root veggies as a side, or add to salads. Add to baked goods, like beet brownies, as a sweetener.
HARVEST: Year-round

BRUSSELS SPROUTS

BENEFITS: Vitamin K, plus folate and iron.
USES: Serve as a side or atop salads and meats, steam or roast, serve with salt or add tangy or savory sauces like balsamic vinegar.
HARVEST: September-March

CARROTS

BENEFITS: Vitamin A, potassium, lutein, with antioxidant properties.
USES: Delicious raw or supercharge the sugars by roasting or grilling. Add to stews and soups. They even sweeten up baked goods like carrot cake.
HARVEST: Fall, winter, spring

KALE, COLLARDS, HYDRO BIBB LETTUCE, MICROGREENS

BENEFITS: Vitamins A, C, K, iron, and disease-fighting phytonutrients.
USES: Raw in a salad or smoothies, steamed as a stand-alone or baked into other dishes. Cooking makes it easier for our bodies to digest its nutrients.
HARVEST: Year-round, but it gets sweeter after the first nip from Jack Frost

LEEKS

BENEFITS: Vitamin A, C, K, potassium, lutein, with antioxidant properties.
USES: Add this member of the onion family to stews, stuffings, and stir fries, or serve as a stand-alone side.
HARVEST: September-April

PARSNIPS

BENEFITS: Potassium, fiber.
USES: Sweeter and nuttier than carrots, roast alone or with just about every other fall vegetable.
HARVEST: October-April

RUTABAGAS

BENEFITS: Vitamin C, fiber.
USES: Like a cross between a turnip and a parsnip, delish in casseroles, or puree with turnips and carrots for soup, or roast with ginger, honey, or lemon.
HARVEST: October-April

SWEET POTATOES

BENEFITS: Vitamin A, iron, with anti-inflammatory properties.
USES: Roast like a potato or cut up like fries, add to salads and stews, puree into soups. Best of all: Sweet potato pie!
HARVEST: September–December

TOMATOES (greenhouse)

BENEFITS: Vitamin C, beta-carotene, potassium, phosphorus, with antioxidant properties.
USES: Add to salads, sandwiches, sauces, stews, stir fry, kabobs, pizza, or just enjoy them plain with a little salt.
HARVEST: Year-round

TURNIPS

BENEFITS: Vitamin C (roots), vitamins A, K, folate (leaves).
USES: Steam, roast, or boil the roots. Flavor with fennel, bread crumbs, or brown sugar. Adds a slightly bitter complement to sweet parsnips, carrots, or mashed potatoes — or mash them alone. Steam or stir fry the leaves.
HARVEST: September–April

WINTER SQUASHES

BENEFITS: Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A.
USES: Acorn, butternut, delicata and more have thick skins, and can be stored for months. Bake, steam, or roast plain or with cinnamon and ginger, add to salads and stews, puree into soups.
HARVEST: October–February

PLUS REGIONAL WINTER PRODUCE

CITRUS: oranges, grapefruit, tangerines rich in vitamins C, B, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Also: cucumbers, peppers, yellow squash, zucchini packed with vitamins A, C, E, K, magnesium, potassium, manganese, beta-carotene, and more.

Read on to learn what qualifies as “regional” produce!

ORGANIC vs SUSTAINABLE vs LOCAL – Which Is Best?

We lovers of seasonal eating all just want to eat nutritious, safe, non-toxic, eco-friendly food. But who has the time to research every item we eat?

You could go by the government’s “Certified Organic” label. That sure seems like a convenient shortcut to eating healthfully without harming the planet. But here at Seasonal Roots online farmers market, we focus on sustainable and local rather than the government designation of “organic.”

Here’s why:
1. WE PARTNER WITH LOCAL FARMERS

Many are multi-generational, so they care for their land, crops, and animals with the next generation in mind.
They use sustainable practices, what we call old-school organic, like rotating their crops to avoid sucking all the nutrients out of the soil.
Many don’t spray. That would jeopardize the integrity of their land. If they do spray, it’s minimal and only as needed. This is true whether or not our farmers are organic, because the FDA allows organic farmers to use certain pesticides. Either way, organic or not, we don’t partner with spray-happy farmers.

2. “ORGANIC” DOESN’T EQUAL “LOCALLY GROWN”

Anything shipped long distances has a bigger carbon footprint. That’s not eco-friendly.
Even organic produce loses flavor and nutrients when it’s picked early and then travels for a long time to reach your kitchen.
An organic label has nothing to do with food safety or working and living conditions for farmers, laborers, or livestock. The only way to really know what goes on at the farm is to know the farmer.

3. THERE’S NO STANDARD DEFINITION FOR “LOCAL” OR “REGIONAL”

We’re upfront about how we define it: Within about 150 miles of our delivery areas.
Most of our local partners are in Virginia, a few in eastern North Carolina.
To maintain a healthy variety of options during winter, we partner with sustainable farmers in Florida. We call that produce REGIONAL because it can get to us within a day of harvest without resorting to flying (a major carbon producer).
Seasonal eating afficionados who prefer to eat only what’s in season locally can opt out of our winter-time regional offerings, which are clearly labeled in our online farmers market — the description for every item includes who grew it or made it, and where.

3 Reasons Why REAL FOOD Is the Best Food

What is “real food”? To us, it’s fresh, local food. Food that’s still in its natural state, or freshly prepared using ingredients you can pronounce. Healthy, yummy food your grandmother would recognize. Real food is designed by nature for seasonal eating.

It’s important to eat real food because…

1. REAL FOOD IS BETTER FOR YOU

Antioxidants like vitamin C may help prevent or delay cell damage – but only when you get your antioxidants from real food.

Why does reducing cell damage matter? Because undamaged cells can improve your cognitive function and help fight cancer, heart disease, and other illnesses. Antioxidants may help make all that happen.

Meanwhile, unlike the antioxidants you get from real food, antioxidant supplements have not been proven to help prevent diseases.

2. REAL FOOD TASTES BETTER

Fresh fruits and veggies absorb flavor (and vitamins and minerals) from the sun and earth – right up until the moment they’re ripe.

But! Pick them early to ship long distances and they will never reach their full-flavored potential… even if they eventually look ripe. Or process them by cutting, peeling, reshaping, cooking, or canning and they lose some of their original great taste (and health benefits).

One exception is freezing. Fresh produce that’s frozen hangs onto most of its taste and health benefits, though in some cases the texture changes. That’s easy to do at home, using real food from local providers.

3. REAL FOOD IS BETTER FOR YOUR PEACE OF MIND

The only way to really know if your fresh food is safe from contamination and excessive pesticides is to know your food providers.

Here at Seasonal Roots, we know our farmers and food providers… and so do you! When you shop your online farmers market, information about the source of the food is provided so you know exactly where each item comes from.

Try This Easy NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION: Eat Healthy in 2022!

(Hint: You can make or renew this resolution any time of the year.)

Healthful seasonal eating is simpler than you think. Click here to explore how to keep it easy-peasy.

“I love that Seasonal Roots cares about sustainable farming and that they SUPPORT LOCAL FARMERS who are doing it right.” – Ruth

If you have friends or family who want to give Seasonal Roots a try, be sure to share the code: “WINTER.”

That code will enable them to join for free before January 31, 2022.

ABOUT SEASONAL ROOTS

Since 2011, Seasonal Roots’ online farmers market has connected Virginia families with local family farmers who use sustainable, humane practices. Our neighborhood market managers – who believe in living better through scrumptious, healthy eating, being kind to animals, protecting the environment, and spreading joy – home-deliver freshly harvested produce, pastured eggs, grassfed dairy and meat, plus artisan fare. We empower our members to eat better and live better with more nutritious, flavorful food that’s good for us and good for the planet. More info at seasonalroots.com.

Eating Healthy in 2022!

Try this easy New Year’s Resolution

Eating healthy in 2022 is a resolution you can make any time of year, but New Years always creates some extra motivation after indulging over the holidays.

Healthful seasonal eating is simpler than you think with fruit and vegetable boxes delivered to your doorstep. Here’s how to keep it easy-peasy:

1. ORDER WEEKLY

If you haven’t already signed up for Seasonal Roots, do it now and order every week. Online ordering is quick and convenient. And delivery is free to your home or office, saving you time.

By ordering every week, you’re getting local food that’s fresh from the fields. That’s why it’s loaded with healthy nutrients (not to mention flavor!)

2. AVOID SUPERMARKET MINDGAMES

Seasonal candy displays… scent machines to lure you to the bakery… “free” junk food samples… sugary cereals at kids-eye-level… oversized shopping carts… These are just some of the psychological marketing tricks that supermarkets use to fool you into filling your cart with unhealthy food.

(Read this Washington Post article for the inside scoop.)

By getting your fresh produce and other essentials and extras delivered weekly, you won’t have to go to the supermarket as often. And before you go, be sure to eat first, take a list, stick to it, and focus on stocking up on items you can store. That will make it easier to stay out of their devious clutches.

3. EAT IT RAW

The fact is, food that’s freshly picked or just-made simply tastes better. Time is the enemy, so if it’s fresh, it still has all its original flavor along with its nutrients. You don’t have to do anything fancy to it to make it taste delicious!

4. ROAST IT

If you don’t like it raw, you can still keep it simple. Set your oven at 400 degrees, chop and toss your veggies in olive oil, season with a little salt and pepper, then spread them on a baking sheet.

Roasting releases the natural sugars inside, making everything even more mouth-wateringly delicious. Depending on their size and density, your roasted veggies will be ready to eat within 20 minutes to an hour.

5. STEAM IT

Keep in mind that some nutrients are actually easier for your body to extract and process if the veggies are cooked. For example, spinach and other greens do you more good when you cook it first.

Steaming is quick and easy. Then sprinkle with sunflower seeds and dried cranberries, a little olive oil and balsamic vinegar, and you’ve got instant delish.

6. USE A SLOW COOKER

Too busy to cook? Just throw everything in a slow cooker, and voila, you’ve got an easy home-cooked meal and probably leftovers, too.

So eating healthy local food made from scratch doesn’t have to mean spending a lot of time in the kitchen (unless you want it to!)

(Here are some tips on how to make a slow cooker work for you.)

7. DON’T WAIT FOR SPRING TO START SEASONAL EATING

If you think there’s nothing local and healthy to eat in the winter, think again! There are plenty of superfoods among the produce we harvest in Virginia in the fall and winter, and some of them store well, too. With Seasonal Roots, it’s easy to get local food for seasonal eating year-round.

Need some motivation? Check out our Seasonal Eating Guide: Winter Edition for information about the benefits and uses of local superfoods. It’ll remind you of all yummy ways they’ll boost your health, starting right now.

ABOUT SEASONAL ROOTS

Since 2011, Seasonal Roots’ online farmers market has connected Virginia families with local family farmers who use sustainable, humane practices. Our neighborhood market managers – who believe in living better through scrumptious, healthy eating, being kind to animals, protecting the environment, and spreading joy – home-deliver freshly harvested produce, pastured eggs, grassfed dairy and meat, plus artisan fare. We empower our members to eat better and live better with more nutritious, flavorful food that’s good for us and good for the planet. More info at seasonalroots.com.

Thanksgiving favorites

November 4, 2021/in Blog, Blog Archive /by Veggie Fairy

Thanksgiving Memories and Reflections

Many of us look forward to Thanksgiving, and for many, it is at the very top of the favorite holiday list. Thanksgiving has such a positive sentiment with its focus on being grateful and spending time with family and friends. The joy of gathering and enjoying a delicious (bountiful) meal is center-focus rather than distractions like presents or extravagant decorations.

Perhaps because of our love of food, but also for many other reasons, the Seasonal Roots team loves loves loves the Thanksgiving holiday. In no particular order, the Top 10 favorite ways the Seasonal Roots team spends Thanksgiving include:

There is another activity that tops the list — the cooking! Just thinking about it now conjures up all of the magnificent aromas of the Thanksgiving meal. (Well, except for that year Leslie burned the marshmallows that were on top of the sweet potato casserole – that aroma was not so good and the smoke detector sound was not so great either.)

Thanksgiving is a holiday of many favorite recipes. We did a Thanksgiving JUST FOR FUN survey and learned about members favorite Thanksgiving foods which we are excited to share over the next few weeks.

It’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind that is Thanksgiving. There’s the planning, the buying, the prep in advance, and all of the love that goes into the preparation the day of! Even with enthusiastic helpers, Thanksgiving can be a lot of work. But, it’s worth it. The food is plentiful and seconds (or thirds) are encouraged! Oh and don’t get us started on the leftovers. Yum!

We hope that you are looking forward to the Thanksgiving holiday as much as we are!

ABOUT SEASONAL ROOTS

Since 2011, Seasonal Roots’ online farmers market has connected Virginia families with local family farmers who use sustainable, humane practices. Our neighborhood market managers – who believe in living better through scrumptious, healthy eating, being kind to animals, protecting the environment, and spreading joy – home-deliver freshly harvested produce, pastured eggs, grassfed dairy and meat, plus artisan fare. We empower our members to eat better and live better with more nutritious, flavorful food that’s good for us and good for the planet. More info at seasonalroots.com.

It’s National Work from Home Week

October 11, 2021/in Blog, Blog Archive /by Veggie Fairy

Work companions.

National Work from Home week is the second week in October and we all know how teleworking has grown over the course of the pandemic.

Of course, not every role allows for work from home — essential workers don’t have that option and have been working tirelessly, endlessly to help us all. Whether it is essential workers who are first responders, healthcare professionals, farmers, even the Seasonal Roots team, etc. we are so grateful.

While it’s been a complicated time for everyone, we’d like to take a walk on the lighter and furrier side of working from home.

23 million Americans brought new furry creatures into their home during the pandemic according to the ASPCA. The Seasonal Roots team is in good company and has also added new adoptions to their mix of oldies-but-goodies working by their side (or on their laps).

One of the perks of working from home is more time with our furry friends. We thought we would share some pics of our extended team or “helpers”.

Karla’s friends Cookie, Goldie and Clancy enthusiastically support her in all of her work and certainly drive greater productivity.

Leslie’s friend Toby is a bit of a trouble maker, but when he is not eating the house, he does take some time to relax, stretch and unwind. He really needs a reboot, but the family seems to want to let him be.

Isabella’s Charlie is a serious-minded companion who sometimes corners her and questions her work. Considerable in-home therapy has been considered, but deemed too expensive.

Sam’s friend Maggie is a bit of a stalker, but he tries to overlook that reality. No really, she is a creeper and a stalker, but look how cute she is…

Landis’s friend Annie is a rather chill companion (and yet super aware of her greatness). She doesn’t let work get her stressed out. She is aware and comfortable with the fact that she rules the world.

By the way, the fact that we have all given our pets human names doesn’t mean anything. They don’t rule our houses in any way. We have many more pets within our family of Market Managers and members. We would love to feature them all, but thought it would be more reasonable to limit to just a few.

Perhaps in a future post, we can shine a spotlight on our human companions that also “help” us with our work. But that is another story entirely.

Spreading joy to our community and all of the many forms that takes – means everything to us. Love to all.

ABOUT SEASONAL ROOTS

Since 2011, Seasonal Roots’ online farmers market has connected Virginia families with local family farmers who use sustainable, humane practices. Our veggie fairies – mostly moms and dads who believe in living better through scrumptious, healthy eating, being kind to animals, protecting the environment, and spreading joy – home-deliver freshly harvested produce, eggs, grass-fed dairy and meat, plus artisan fare. We empower our members to eat better and live better with more nutritious, flavorful food that’s good for us and good for the planet. More info at seasonalroots.com.

Seasonal Roots is #6 on the Fastest Growing “RVA25” List

September 28, 2021/in Blog, Blog Archive /by Veggie Fairy

Seasonal Roots sees growth in Richmond and beyond.

The Seasonal Roots Online Farmers Market is happy to announce it has been named the 6th fastest-growing company in Richmond in a new ranking released by Richmond BizSense as part of their 2021 “RVA 25” awards.

We are excited to be recognized with so many other great organizations in RVA. Companies were ranked by average annual revenue growth over the previous 3-years. Landis Wine (Operations Manager) and Duane Slyder (Seasonal Roots Founder) were both able to attend the Richmond BizSense event at Hardywood on behalf of the team and enjoyed the event as well as the beautiful early fall weather.

Duane Slyder, Seasonal Roots Founder pictured with Landis Wine, Operations Manager.

Landis Wine (Operations Manager), Duane Slyder (Founder)

Shout out and a huge thank you to our members.

Our members are the reason for our growth. As an Online Farmers Market, it has been such an honor to be able to provide healthy produce to homes within days of harvest. This has never been more important than during the pandemic. Seasonal Roots members have shared their enthusiasm for shopping online year-round for farm-fresh local produce, dairy, meats, baked goods, artisan fare and more. With that enthusiasm, growth has occurred across all of the Seasonal Roots delivery areas – Richmond, Fredericksburg, Northern Virginia, Southern Maryland, and the Hampton Roads areas.

And of course we thank our partners – local farmers, bakers and artisans who supply the best products and follow earth-friendly sustainable practices.

While eating farm fresh produce within days of harvest tastes great, it has a bigger impact. Simply by choosing to eat locally, season by season, you know your choices are better for the environment!

The Richmond BiZSENSE article is available here.

ABOUT SEASONAL ROOTS

Since 2011, Seasonal Roots’ online farmers market has connected Virginia families with local family farmers who use sustainable, humane practices. Our veggie fairies – mostly moms and dads who believe in living better through scrumptious, healthy eating, being kind to animals, protecting the environment, and spreading joy – home-deliver freshly harvested produce, eggs, grass-fed dairy and meat, plus artisan fare. We empower our members to eat better and live better with more nutritious, flavorful food that’s good for us and good for the planet. More info at seasonalroots.com.

2021 Seasonal Roots

Seasonal Eating Guide: Fall Edition

September 22, 2021/in Blog, Blog Archive /by Veggie Fairy

Welcome to our Guide to Seasonal Eating: FALL Edition!

Seasonal eating is all about living in sync with the seasons. At Seasonal Roots, we’re also in sync with our community, from the local farmers and food artisans who make our food to the Seasonal Roots members who enjoy it.

We’re all connected through seasonal eating. So we have a (healthy) obsession with local produce, because it’s packed with flavor and nutrients — and easy to enjoy. That’s why our market is customizable and home delivered, Dirt to Doorstep, within days of harvest.

Now here’s the cherry on top:

Our guide to the fall produce that’s in season in Virginia and Maryland… and how to get the most out of it!

In this guide, you’ll find a little something for everyone. Because we’re a diverse bunch — chefs (official or not), foodies, newbies, vegetarians, meat lovers, you name it. So just click on the links below to jump straight to whatever interests you!

IN THIS ISSUE

The BENEFITS & USES of Fall’s Produce Powerhouses (plus recipes & tips!)
3 More Reasons to Savor the LOCAL Flavors of Fall
Here’s Why Our NUTRITION NEEDS CHANGE with the Seasons
How to Take Advantage of HOME DELIVERY to Stay Healthy

BENEFITS & USES of Fall’s Produce Powerhouses

Below are some of the health benefits of seasonal eating. We’ve also selected a few of the Seasonal Roots team’s favorite recipes HERE.

As we get closer to Thanksgiving, we’ll be sharing some holiday feast tips. Oh, and be on the look-out for a little fact finding mission that will reveal which Thanksgiving dishes make the favorites list, coming soon…!

APPLES

BENEFITS: Heart-healthy flavonoids in the skin, antioxidants, and 4 grams of dietary fiber.
USES: Eat raw as a stand-alone snack, in a smoothie or salad, in pork dishes, or cooked up as apple sauce or pie.
HARVEST: August-November