🌱 Shop Local. Eat Seasonal. Build Community.

One of my favorite wellness habits has nothing to do with supplements or meal plans.

It's getting to know the people who grow my food.

Years ago, I spent a summer selling organic eggs for a friend and neighbor. Her hens lived on a blueberry farm, and when her homeschool co-op took a break for the summer...those chickens certainly didn't! So every week, I'd meet up with other mamas in the parking lot of our local Rouse's grocery store.

That experience reminded me that behind every basket of tomatoes, carton of eggs, or bunch of carrots is a real family working incredibly hard to feed their community.

That's why I love farmers markets.

Some growers are USDA Organic. Others use organic practices but haven't pursued certification because it's expensive. The best part? You can simply ask! Most farmers are proud to share how they grow their food.

When I'm deciding what to buy organic, I use the Environmental Working Group's Dirty Dozen® and Clean Fifteen™ as a helpful shopping guide—not a rulebook. It helps me prioritize where I spend a little extra while keeping my grocery budget realistic.

🥬 Consider buying organic: Spinach, strawberries, grapes, apples, peaches, nectarines, cherries, pears, potatoes, blueberries, blackberries, and leafy greens.

🥑 Conventional is usually a great choice: Avocados, pineapple, onions, cabbage, cauliflower, asparagus, carrots, bananas, mushrooms, kiwi, mangoes, papaya, watermelon, frozen peas, and sweet corn*.

*If avoiding GMOs is important to you, choose organic sweet corn.

💚 Remember: Eating more fruits and vegetables—whether organic or conventional—is always a win.

🌞 Why I Love Seasonal Produce

When you buy what's in season, you often get:

🍓 Better flavor

🥕 More nutrients

💰 Better prices

🚜 Food that hasn't traveled as far

❤️ A chance to support local families and small farms

🌻 This Week's Challenge

Visit your local farmers market and introduce yourself to just ONE vendor.

Ask them:

  • What do you grow?

  • What's your favorite thing that's in season right now?

  • How do you grow it?

  • What's the best way to cook or enjoy it?

You might leave with fresh vegetables...

But you'll also leave with something even better—a connection to the people who help nourish your community.

Sometimes healthy living starts with a simple conversation. 🌱💚

If you're curious, here's the current 2026 EWG Shopper's Guide, where you can see the full Dirty Dozen, Clean Fifteen, and the complete rankings for every fruit and vegetable:

🌿EWG 2026 Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce

I'd love to know...what's one produce item that's always in your shopping cart? 🍓🥑🥒

Farm to Table TX has a fabulous seasonal produce chart.

https://www.farmtotabletx.com/our-products/seasonal-produce-chart/