Food
Daily time commit:
5 minutes +
Sustain and Nourish
Every day prepare at least one meal full of fresh, natural ingredients to give your body a boost with the vitamins and minerals it needs and keep diseases at bay. See further below for seasonal foods in the UK so you can choose to buy produce when it is at its freshest and most abundant.
Additionally, Food preparation is great for the mind as well as the body. Slicing and dicing gives you space to also think and ponder; allowing inspiration to strike. It is undoubtedly a great time to listen to Talks and Affirmations to cross off multiple areas of The Framework with one activity.
Which vegetables are in season in the UK?
| Produce | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asparagus | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Aubergine | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | - | - | - | - |
| Baby carrots | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Beetroot | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | - | - |
| Broad beans | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Broccoli | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | - | - | - | - |
| Brussel Sprouts | Yes | Yes | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes |
| Cabbage | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | - | - |
| Calabrese | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | - | - |
| Carrots | Yes | Yes | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cauliflower | Yes | Yes | Yes | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Celeriac | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | - | - |
| Celery | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | - | - |
| Chard | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | - | - |
| Chicory | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Chillies | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | - | - |
| Chinese broccoli | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | - |
| Chinese cabbage | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | - |
| Courgettes | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | - | - | - |
| Cucumber | - | - | - | Yes | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | - | - | - |
| Endive | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Fennel | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | - | - | - |
| French beans | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | - | - | - |
| Garlic | - | - | - | - | Yes | - | - | - | Yes | - | - | - |
| Globe artichokes | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Jerusalem artichokes | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | - | - |
| Kale | Yes | Yes | Yes | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Kohlrabi | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | - | - |
| Komatsuna | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | - |
| Lamb's lettuce | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Land cress | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Leeks | Yes | Yes | Yes | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Lettuce | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | - | - | - |
| Mangetout | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | - | - | - | - |
| Marrows | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | - | - |
| Mibuna | - | - | - | Yes | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | - |
| Mizuna | - | - | - | Yes | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | - |
| Mushrooms | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | - | - |
| Mustard | - | - | - | Yes | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | - |
| New potatoes | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | - | - | - | - | - |
| Okra | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | - | - |
| Onions | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | - | - |
| Orach | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | - | - | - | - | - |
| Pak choi | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | - | - |
| Parsnips | Yes | Yes | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | - | - |
| Pea shoots | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | - | - | - | - |
| Peas | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | - | - | - | - |
| Peppers | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | - | - | - |
| Potatoes | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Pumpkin | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | - | - |
| Purple sprouting broccoli | - | - | Yes | Yes | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Radicchio | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes |
| Radish | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | - | - | - | - | - |
| Radish leaf | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | - |
| Red cabbage | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | - |
| Rocket | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | - | - | - | Yes | - | - |
| Runner beans | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | - | - | - |
| Salsify | - | - | Yes | Yes | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Savoy cabbage | Yes | Yes | Yes | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes |
| Shallots | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | - | Yes | Yes | - | - |
| Soya beans | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | - | - |
| Spinach | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | - | - |
| Spring cabbage | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Spring green cabbage | Yes | Yes | Yes | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes |
| Spring onions | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | - | - | - | - |
| Summer squash | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | - | - | - |
| Swedes | Yes | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | - | - |
| Sweet potatoes | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | - | - |
| Sweetcorn | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | - | - | - |
| Tatsoi | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | - |
| Tree spinach | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | - | - | - |
| Turnip | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | - | - |
| White cabbage | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | - |
| Winter squash | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | - | - |
Which fruits are in season in the UK?
| Produce | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apples | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | - | - |
| Apricots | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | - | - | - | - |
| Blackberries | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | - | - | - | - |
| Blackcurrants | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | - | - | - | - |
| Blueberries | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | - | - | - |
| Cherries | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | - | - | - | - | - |
| Citrus | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cranberries | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | - | Yes | - | - | - |
| Currants | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | - | - | - | - | - |
| Damsons | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | - | - | - |
| Figs | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | - | - | - |
| Gages | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | - | - | - |
| Gooseberries | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | - | - | - | - | - |
| Grapes | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | - | - |
| Kiwi | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | - | - |
| Lingonberries | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | - | Yes | - | - | - |
| Loganberries | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | - | - | - | - | - |
| Medlars | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | - |
| Melons | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | - | - |
| Mulberries | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | - | - | - |
| Nectarines | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | - | - | - |
| Olives | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | - | - |
| Peaches | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | - | - | - |
| Pears | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | - | Yes |
| Plums | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | - | - | - |
| Quinces | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | - | - |
| Raspberries | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | - | - |
| Redcurrants | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | - | - | - | - |
| Rhubarb | - | - | - | - | Yes | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Rhubarb (forced) | - | - | Yes | Yes | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Strawberries | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Tayberries | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | - | - | - | - | - |
| Tomatoes | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | - | - | - |
| Whitecurrants | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | - | - | - | - |
Which herbs are in season in the UK?
| Produce | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | - | - | - |
| Bay | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Chamomile | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | - | - | - | - |
| Chervil | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Chives | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | - | - | - |
| Coriander | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dill | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | - | - | - | - | - |
| Fennel | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | - | - | - |
| Horseradish | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | - |
| Lemon balm | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | - | - | - |
| Lemongrass | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Lovage | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | - | - | - | - |
| Marjoram | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | - | - | - |
| Mint | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Oregano | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | - | - |
| Parsley | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Purslane (summer) | - | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | - | - | - |
| Purslane (winter) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | - | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Rosemary | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sage | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | - |
| Savory | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sorrel | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | - |
| Tarragon | - | - | - | - | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | - | - | - |
| Thyme | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Food Waste
Be sure to keep track of Food expiry dates and use everything up, or give it away instead, before it spoils, to avoid adding to the Food waste epidemic.
Whenever you notice that you are regularly throwing away a certain type of Food, buy less of it each Food shop or find recipes that allow you to use up the ingredient and prolong its life, either in the fridge or the freezer. There is a plethora of recipes available for free online, to this end.
Food Waste - The Numbers Speak for Themselves!
worth of fruit, veg and bread binned annually in the UK Jan 2022
£
0
bn
Food items thrown away every week in the UK Jan 2022
0
m
adults in the UK experienced Food poverty in the UK Aug 21-Jan 22
0
m
5/5
Grow your own
Provided that you have the time and space, have a go at growing your own vegetables, fruit, and herbs. Then tick Exercise and Fresh air off The Framework as you go.
Be Food thrifty
Eating fresh, nutritious meals doesn't also have to cost the earth
Waste not, want not!
- Make fruit salad or smoothies with excess fruit
- Chop and freeze excess herbs
- Use excess vegetables to make soup
- Buy top rump roasting joints when they are half price, slice into steaks and freeze for future meals
- Freeze meat or fish before their expiry date and take them out when ready to use
- Put excess fruit into cakes
- Dry excess herbs to prolong their life
- Use up excess ingredients by making extra-large meals and freezing portions for future ready meals
- Find your local market and farmers market for cheap, fresh seasonal produce
- Put excess sliced bread into the freezer for toasting
WHAT IS YOUR TOP FOOD THRIFTY TIP?
Get in touch to let us know or to ask us any questions
