Shopping for fruit and vegetables can often feel overwhelming and occasionally disappointing, leading to lower-quality produce. Dietitians recommend buying produce in season as the simplest and most effective way to ensure peak flavor and nutritional value. Buying in season means choosing fruits and vegetables that are naturally harvested during that specific time of year in your region. There are many benefits to eating in season, including better taste, more nutrients, and greater cost savings, as well as supporting your local farmers in your community. As fall begins, produce such as apples, pears, cranberries, winter squash, carrots, beets, pumpkins, and sweet potatoes comes into season, making it the ideal time to purchase these foods. If you're unsure how to determine if produce is in season, look for vibrant colors, a firm texture, and a fresh smell. However, identifying which produce is in season locally can be tricky because of the many options available at most grocery stores. If you're having difficulty spotting in-season produce at your local store, check the label for the country of origin. You can also join a local farmers' market or a Community Supported Agriculture group, which can help increase your knowledge of local produce.