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From Farm to Table: How Our Seasonal Produce Can Transform Your Meals

 

Our large 7kg mix of organic fruit & vegetables offers the best value for money and will allow you to fill your plate with the freshest seasonal produce the farms harvest for us, and cook lots of healthy veg-packed meals with healthy deserts.

As consumers, we’re becoming increasingly conscious of what we put in our bodies. The rise of organic produce and farmers’ markets is proof of this trend. The idea of “farm-to-table” has been around for a while, but it’s only now that people are starting to fully appreciate the benefits of eating seasonally. Seasonal produce not only tastes better, but it’s also better for the environment, the local economy, and our health.

 

Benefits of Eating Seasonal Produce

Eating seasonal produce has many benefits for our health, the environment, and the local economy. One of the main advantages is that seasonal produce is fresher and more flavorful than out-of-season produce that has been transported across the country or even the world. Fresh produce has higher nutrient levels, is richer in antioxidants, and has a better taste and texture.

Another benefit of eating seasonally is that it supports local farmers and the local economy. By buying produce that is in season and grown locally, you are supporting small-scale farmers and helping to keep money in your community. This also means that you are reducing the carbon footprint of your food, as locally grown produce has a smaller environmental impact than produce that has to be transported long distances.

Finally, eating seasonally is often more affordable than buying out-of-season produce. When produce is abundant, it’s usually cheaper than when it’s scarce. This means that you can save money and eat healthier by choosing seasonal produce. This is exactly what you’ll get with our Large 7kg mix of organic fruit & vegetables bag.

What is Farm-to-Table?

Farm-to-table is a movement that aims to connect consumers with local farmers and promote the consumption of locally grown, seasonal produce. The idea is to create a direct relationship between the producer and the consumer, so that consumers can learn more about where their food comes from and how it’s grown.

Farm-to-table also involves using sustainable farming practices that are better for the environment and for the health of the soil. This includes using organic farming methods, rotating crops, and using cover crops to enrich the soil.

By promoting the consumption of locally/regionally grown, seasonal produce and sustainable farming practices, the farm-to-table movement aims to create a healthier, more sustainable food system. Our Large 7kg mix of organic fruit & vegetables is a good example of what you would get at a local farmers market.

The Importance of Supporting Local Farmers

Supporting local organic farmers in SIngapore is difficult as there is only one farm that is certified organic (Sky Green). All the other local farms that we know of are self proclaimed “pesticide free” / “grown organically” and this is mis-leading. Indeed, no one checks if this is legit, no testing is done, no farm visit is done to check if the soil is indeed clean, or if the farm just above the hill is not spraying every other day.

Certifications are here for a reason: to raise the standards, for the benefit of the consumers. If farmers claim to grow produce organically/pesticide free, but do not take the pain to be certified organic, then they are not raising the standard, they are lowering it. For their benefit, not for the benefit of the consumer.

The closest farms from Singapore that are certified organic are in Malaysia and Thailand. It turns out that Thailand has a real culture of growing food organically, this is thanks to the Royal Projects.

The INFLUENCE OF THE ROYAL PROJECTS IN THAILAND

The Royal Project was initiated in 1969 when King Bhumibol Adulyadej paid a visit to a hill tribe village in Doi Pui where opium cultivation was a prevalent source of income. During the visit, the king discovered that a particular type of peach could be a more profitable alternative for the locals. He learned that the Doi Put Development Centre, Faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University, was already researching and testing a suitable variety of peach for the region. The king directed the Crown Property Bureau to donate 200,000 baht to the project.

Over the years, the project garnered support from international organizations. In 1972, the UN acknowledged the significance of alternative agriculture to replace opium cultivation and initiated the UN/Thai Program for Drug Abuse Control. Between 1973 and 1984, USDA-ARS also provided financial assistance to the project for research and development to identify the best fruits and vegetables for the highlands. In 1992, the royal project was renamed to the Royal Project Foundation and permanently became a public organization for the welfare of the people.

OUR PARTNER FARMS

The farms we work with in Thailand and Malaysia are all certified organic. No pesticide free / grown organically non sense for consumers. If a farm is serious about its organic approach and wants to sell to consumers, they should get a certification to prove their seriousness and raise to the standard. Just for you to know, in Europe, USA, Australia, it is illegal to claim that your produce are organic if they are not certified by a certification body approved by the competent authorities. For the consumers’ benefits, it should be the same in Singapore.

We truck in from Thailand most of what we deliver to you. We fly in produce from Australia only once every three weeks. This helps to reduce the carbon footprint of your food. Transporting food across long distances has a significant environmental impact, as it requires large amounts of energy and produces greenhouse gas emissions. By buying trucked in grown produce, you are supporting a more sustainable food system.

 

How to Find Seasonal Produce Near You

Finding seasonal produce near you is easier than you might think: we are here and bring them to you! 🙂 You can view ShiokFarm as your local farmers’ market and with our Large 7kg mix of organic fruit & vegetables, we bring you enough to prepare a few healthy meals to feed your family.

We work like a community-supported agriculture (CSA) program. CSA programs allow you to buy a share of a farm’s produce for a season, and you receive a weekly or bi-weekly box of produce. This is a great way to support farmers and get a variety of fresh, seasonal produce.

 

Cooking with Seasonal Produce

Cooking with seasonal produce is a great way to add flavor and nutrition to your meals. When produce is in season, it’s at the peak of its flavor and is often less expensive than out-of-season produce.

One of the best ways to cook with seasonal produce is to keep it simple. Seasonal produce doesn’t need a lot of fancy preparation to taste delicious. Simply roasting, grilling, or sautéing produce with a little bit of olive oil, salt, and pepper can bring out its natural flavor.

Another great way to cook with seasonal produce is to make soups, stews, and casseroles. These dishes are perfect for using up leftover produce and are a great way to warm up on a chilly day.

Seasonal Produce Recipes for Each Season

Here are some seasonal produce recipes for each season:

Spring

• Asparagus and Pea Soup
• Pomelo and Spinach Salad
• Spring Vegetable Risotto

Summer

• Grilled Corn and Tomato Salad
• Zucchini and Tomato Pasta
• Watermelon and Feta Salad

Fall

• Butternut Squash Soup
• Roasted Brussel Sprouts and Sweet Potatoes
• Apple Cider Glazed Pork Tenderloin

Winter

• Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili
• Roasted Root Vegetables
• Winter Vegetable Soup

How to Store Seasonal Produce

Storing seasonal produce properly can help to extend its shelf life and preserve its flavor and nutrients. Here are some tips for storing seasonal produce:

• Store produce in the refrigerator to keep it fresh longer.
• Store produce in airtight containers or bags to prevent moisture from getting in.
• Store produce away from ethylene-producing fruits, such as bananas and apples, as they can cause produce to ripen and spoil faster.
• Store produce in a cool, dark place, such as a pantry or cellar, to keep it fresh longer.

The Impact of Seasonal Produce on the Environment

Eating seasonally has a positive impact on the environment. When you eat seasonally, you are supporting a more sustainable food system that is better for the planet. Here are some of the ways that eating seasonally helps the environment:

• Reducing the carbon footprint of your food by reducing the amount of energy required to transport it long distances.
• Encouraging the use of sustainable farming practices that are better for the health of the soil and the environment.
• Reducing the amount of food waste by consuming produce when it’s at its peak freshness.

Conclusion: The Beauty and Benefits of Eating Seasonally

Eating seasonally is not only a delicious way to enjoy fresh produce, but it’s also better for your health, the environment, and the local economy. By choosing to eat seasonal produce, you can support small-scale farmers, reduce your carbon footprint, and enjoy the full flavor and nutritional benefits of fresh produce. So next time you’re at the grocery store or farmers’ market, choose seasonal produce and savor the taste of the season.