All vegetables are created equally right? Not quite. If you’ve ever had the opportunity to travel abroad, particularly to some of the Mediterranean countries, you’ve probably realized that Americans are missing out on some amazingly flavorful produce. For example, Italians honor the tomato, and dress them up with just a bit of cheese and basil because the tomato varieties they grow are incredibly flavorful without much preparation. That’s because Europeans prioritize flavor when it comes to the types of food they grow, and they won’t settle for anything less.
In America, the country of efficiency, we’ve evolved to make our farmers yield focused. If a farmer has a variety of tomato he’d like to sell, the first question is typically how profitable it is. “What’s the shelf life? Is it resistant to disease? Is it big?” But rarely, “How does it taste?”
That’s where Seasonal Roots comes in. We partner with local farmers who are bringing real flavor back into our food. They’re growing delicious heirloom varieties of produce, and focusing on quality over quantity. That’s why just last season we were able to offer 19 varieties of tomato! Plus, we make the deal even sweeter. Our farmers let produce ripen on the vine (or on the tree), just like nature intended and then we rush it to your doorstep, straight from the farm. Produce that’s harvested when ripe is packed with flavor and nutrients in an artful way that’s been lost in much of American agriculture. So let’s get back to real food, with real taste, in a really convenient way.
Want to learn more about how culture impacts flavor across the pond? Check out this article http://www.vox.com/2016/2/12/10972140/fruits-vegetables-taste-better-europe.
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, 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.