Winter is upon us, and fresh local produce might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of this season…but it should be! Even in Truckee, there are many opportunities to seek out and use fresh produce in the winter months. The Tahoe Food Hub and New Moon Natural Foods are two local sources that provide and promote fruits and vegetables from local farmers. They consider “local” to be any farm within 150 miles of Truckee. That may seem like a far distance, but when you consider that many states in the nation transport produce from California thousands of miles away, you may feel pretty lucky! Here are some fruits and vegetables you can expect to find locally in the coming months:
- Greens (including kale, chard, collards, and various types of lettuce)
- Root vegetables (including potatoes, carrots, and beets)
- Pomegranates
- Persimmons
- Citrus fruits
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Winter Squash
- …and more!
Local produce is often more nutritious (and leaves a lower carbon footprint) than produce from far distances. Shorter time in transit allows produce to retain more of the nutrients that degrade over time. Buying local produce also can ensure you are providing your body with a rotating variety of phytonutrients throughout the year to boost immunity and improve overall body system function from the cellular level.
So, go ahead and enjoy some local produce this winter! Pine Street Café at Tahoe Forest Hospital will continue to feature and highlight Tahoe Food Hub ingredients, and you can also explore signing up for a winter produce CSA program such as Mountain Bounty or Natural Trading Co that deliver to Truckee.
Appointment Scheduling: 
Tahoe Forest Health System
Health System Mailing Address