A great project by Friends of the Earth Malta titled Agro Katina informs locals and visitors exactly which fruit and veg to look out for at different times of the year - and here's what to expect in October! This month, local, colourful pomegranates full of pearly nutrients are in full bloom, having started their season in September. Green and nutritious broccoli also makes its way back to the food map in October, as do our staple leafy foods; lettuce, cabbage and cauliflower.

The team behind Agro Katina believe in eating local, seasonal and organic fruits and vegetables, which would create a shorter supply chain and be all-round more beneficial to everyone, from residents to the environment, to the retailers, farmers and local economy. So much so that the NGO has moved on to work on another project since, called Citizen’s CAP, through which they are organising fun events and farm visits to get citizens closer to farmers and understand how EU policies influence our food systems. 

Local fruit in season in October

Pomegranates and melons are still strongly in season this month, however, their presence will soon start dying down as November and December come along (so we encourage you to buy in bounty!) Arguing that tomatoes ARE fruit, tomatoes are also perfectly in season this month, (as they are every other month of the year), making bruschetta an all-year-round good idea too! Try going for a walk in the countryside or even in urban gardens and pick some olives that also grow in abundance at this time of year. These can be preserved in jars for consumption later on in the year.

Local vegetables in season in October

When it comes to local seasonal vegetables for October, the list is a bit longer! Broccoli, lettuce, kohlrabi, cabbage and cauliflower are introduced into the seasonal calendar again after a summer-break, giving us back our staple greens and no shortage of salad-base ideas. Meanwhile, October is the last month that carrots and garlic are in season. Pumpkin, aubergines, potatoes, bell peppers and zucchini, which are almost always available throughout the year, are also perfect for consumption. Onions too are in season this month!

Why choose local, seasonal and organic?

Local foods are picked fresh and in season, which is when they have the best flavour and nutritional value, says the NGO. Short travelling distances mean that carbon footprint is minimal. Buying local produce also supports local farmers, the local economy and the preservation of the local agricultural landscape and local varieties of fruit and vegetables.

Seasonal produce “often tastes better than imported products,” according to Friends of the Earth. Imported products “are picked before they are ripe and need to be preserved during their travel,” while “local seasonal products have a short time between harvest and consumption, and therefore it is less likely that the nutrient value has decreased,” they explain.

Organic produce is, to a great extent, grown without pesticides and synthetic fertilisers and is “strictly not genetically modified (GMO)”. Moreover, “organic farming practices respect the environment and are aimed at supporting and preserving soil fertility, biodiversity and natural resources,” they say. In Malta, organic farmers are certified and controlled by the MCCAA. Organic products which are certified can be recognised by the EU organic label (shown below).

Recipe ideas with local, seasonal produce

Head to https://foemalta.org/category/fab/food/veggies/ for fun facts and recipe ideas linked with Malta's seasonal and local fruit and vegetables of the month. Moreover, if you come up with your own, you can send it to Friends of the Earth Malta, who are all for citizen involvement to help promote the cause!

Visit FOE’s website at https://foemalta.org or email them at [email protected].