Experts at ZOE, the health company co-founded by Professor Tim Spector, have shared a list of 46 foods that are “in season” this August. The list includes blackberries, sweetheart cabbage, blackcurrants, spring greens, greengages, Swiss chard, eggplant, zucchini, radishes, sweetcorn, rhubarb, kohlrabi, broccoli, bell peppers, leeks, raspberries, sorrel, samphire, potatoes, peas, runner beans, fennel, carrots, garlic, cherries, loganberries, green onions, beets, tomatoes, cauliflower, endive, fava beans, white cabbage, cucumber, summer squash, arugula, redcurrants, mangetout, plums, lettuce, French beans, chilli peppers, marrows, strawberries, watercress, and damsons.
Why eat seasonally?
In an article published on August 3 2026, Sophia Thompson, a Nutrition Coach at ZOE, encouraged people to weave these August staples into their everyday meals, saying it can be simpler than many expect. Sophia, who has a BSc in Nutrition from the University of Leeds, said August is packed with summer plants that can support gut health, but added that year-round availability means it’s easy to forget what goes into producing and transporting out-of-season food.
Choosing seasonal foods — eating what’s naturally available at this time of year — can be better for the planet, lighter on the wallet, and a win for taste and health. Seasonal produce often travels less, needs less storage and packaging, and is picked closer to peak ripeness, which can mean better flavour for less money.
What is eating seasonally?
Sophia explains: "Eating seasonally means choosing plants that are naturally ripe and ready at that time of year. Because seasonal produce varies across the world depending on climate, this guide focuses on the Northern Hemisphere."
Benefits of seasonal eating
The health experts say that eating in tune with nature’s calendar can bring several benefits. This includes:
- Delicious - Out-of-season produce is often chosen for how well it stores and travels, not how it tastes. It may also be picked before it fully ripens, which can dull its flavour. Eating seasonal foods means you’re more likely to enjoy them at their best.
- Better health - Seasonal eating encourages you to change what you eat throughout the year. This variety can boost the range of nutrients in your diet and support a more diverse gut microbiome.
- The environment - Growing and shipping food out of season often needs more resources and longer transport, which can be harder on the environment. Choosing seasonal produce can reduce this, as it’s grown in the right conditions and usually travels less. "Choosing seasonal options can help lower this impact, as produce is more likely to be grown in suitable conditions and won’t need to travel as far."
- Cheaper - Foods that need less transport, storage and packaging are often cheaper.
