Eating Seasonally and Buying Locally in Ventura County

Hey! Let’s dive into a world where your food not only tantalizes your taste buds but also supports your local community and is friendly to our planet! Yes, we’re talking about the benefits of indulging in fresh, local, and seasonal produce right here in Ventura County!

The Freshness Factor

Local, seasonal fruits and vegetables are indeed more fresh, flavorful, and nutritious because they are harvested at their peak and don’t have to travel far, reducing food miles and being kinder to our environment(1).

Supporting Local Farmers

Purchasing local produce also champions local farmers and preserves the valuable farmland that envelops our communities. Spotting local produce is a breeze! Just peek at the small label on your produce to discover its origin. Did your orange take a lengthy journey from another county or state? Or did it make a short trip from a local city?

How to Get Locally Grown Produce?

• Pick-Your-Own Produce Farms: A delightful family activity where you can handpick fresh produce.
• Local Farmer’s Markets: A vibrant place to grab fresh, local fruits and vegetables and perhaps snag a delicious lunch!

Ventura County’s Agricultural Wealth

Ventura County, blessed with a climate that allows for year-round crop growth, enables farmers to plant and harvest multiple crops each year, including a variety of vegetables and berries. Orchard crops like lemons and oranges are harvested for several months consecutively(2). Here's a snapshot of typical harvest seasons in Ventura County:

Other local crops include kale, cabbage, lettuce leaf, parsley, cilantro, cucumbers, artichokes, blueberries, radishes, spinach, mandarins, and tangelos.

Culinary Adventures with Local Produce

Let’s explore some recipes to infuse more local produce into our meals!

1. Family Breakfast Scramble

• Servings: 4-5
• Ingredients: [Listed in the Blog]
• Directions: [Listed in the Blog]
• Recipe Options: Substitute 6 strips of turkey bacon or 14 ounces of soft tofu instead of the cubed ham.
• Tips for Involving Children: Let children select the bell pepper color and assist in washing produce or whisking eggs.

2. Crunchy Veggie Tuna & Pasta Salad

• Servings: 4
• Ingredients: [Listed in the Blog]
• Directions: [Listed in the Blog]
• Recipe Options: Add thawed frozen peas for extra protein.
• Tips for Involving Children: Allow children to select the pasta type.

3. Berry Good Spinach Salad

• Servings: 4
• Ingredients: [Listed in the Blog]
• Directions: [Listed in the Blog]
• Recipe Options: Serve salad with your family’s favorite tacos for a complete meal.
• Tips for Involving Children: Let your child sneak a strawberry or two!

Ventura County offers a rich tapestry of fresh, local produce that not only enhances our meals but also supports our community and environment. Let’s celebrate and savor the bounty that our local farmers provide, ensuring our meals are not only delicious but also sustainable and community-supporting!