Cooking and eating foods from the bounty of the seasons, depending on where you live on the Planet, is a concept to be savored and adapted into our lifestyles.  Each new season brings us fruits, vegetables, fish and meats.  Purchasing these foods for our daily sustenance is something we all do - and yet, how  often do we take the time to search out our food ingredients and buy only those edibles that are grown, caught and raised close to where we live?

Check out the growing seasons in your part of the Planet and, if possible, enjoy the bounty of your seasons' best foods.

		Spring…in the Northeast the first signs of growth are the ramps, fiddleheads and rhubarb, followed by asparagus, peas and the beginnings of lush new growth of all herbs and vegetables. The sprouting buds on fruit trees which will turn into peaches or cherries is magical.
		Summer…seek out farmers’ markets or take a drive to find roadside farm stands to buy just picked locally grown corn, heirloom tomatoes, peaches and other fruits and vegetables of every variety, conventional and organic, some of which are found at your favorite food stores. Find a local farm that allows you to pick your own fruits and savor the flavor of real food.
		Autumn…an abundance of the remaining crops of summer extend into this season as well, depending on which region of the U.S. you live in. This season also has its own bounty of foods that thrive in cooler weather such as broccoli and cauliflower, squashes, and root vegetables, apples and pears of many varieties, fresh figs and grapes.
		Winter…the size and diversity of climates in each region of the USA allows for areas that continue to grow a bounty of fruits and vegetables while in the bitter cold Midwest and Northeast of the country where the growing season has ended, the winter months abound with onions, cabbages, potatoes, root vegetables, apples, pears and more which have been grown in the summer and autumn and then stored for use in the winter months.