While we'd never try to stop a hungry college student from snacking on some fresh fruit or veggies, sometimes prices or unripe fruit can be a real turn-off when it comes to picking out healthy snacks. That's where the Food Down the Road Seasonal Food Chart comes in - with a easy to use, graphical list of the best seasons to eat different fruits and vegetables, you can always know that July and early August are the best times from apricots but the worst time for apples; that cabbage is great any time except late April and early May but hothouse cucumber is great all year 'round.

There are a couple of reasons to buy fruit in-season. Most importantly for college students, it tends to be cheaper. Out of season fruit is usually shipped over long distances or grown in smaller quantities in hothouses. As the supply is lower, prices are much higher. In season, however, with a greater supply of fruit available, prices will drop (who knew a post about season fruit could be an economics lesson as well?). Additionally, fruit that's in season tends to taste a lot better than the out of season fruit that's been put over ice and shipped halfway around the world.

Take a look at all of the foods that are in season now. What creative dishes can you make with just seasonal ingredients? You might be surprised by the great combinations you can toss together as a fruit salad or in a stir fry. To get the best information about fruit and veggies, and when they're ripe, check out the Food Down the Road Seasonal Food Chart!