EducationPhase 2Seasonality

What are seasons?The Earth's axis is tilted slightly compared to the way the Earth orbits the sun. The tilted axis results in the seasons.

When the northern hemisphere is tilted towards the sun it is summer in Europe. When the northern hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun it is winter in Europe.

What are the seasons?In Europe the seasons are:

•winter;•spring; •summer;•autumn.

In other parts of the world there are just two seasons – a wet and a dry season.

Differences in European climatesThe climate in different European countries can be quite different, despite the season being the same.

•January is a month in the winter season. •The average temperature is between -4.8 and 0.4°C in Warsaw, Poland in January. •In Madrid, Spain, the average temperature is 2.6-9.7°C

What is the temperature range where you live in January?

What is the temperature range where you live in April?

What is the temperature range where you live in July?

What is the temperature range where you live in October?

What is seasonal food?Seasonal food is the time of year when the food is at its optimum (either in terms of flavour or harvest) in your country.

Why eat seasonal foods?Local seasonal food tends to be fresher and cheaper because there is less transportation and storage time from farm to fork.

Why eat seasonal foods?•Seasonal food is usually harvested when at its peak so tends to be tastier and healthier.•Eating seasonal food can be better for the environment.•Eating seasonally encourages people to consume a wider variety of foods available at different times of the year.

Storage of foodsSome food can be stored until it is needed. Apples can be harvested and kept in a cold store for several months.

Extending the growing season

Some foods are grown in plastic tunnels or glass houses.

This means foods can be ready at different times than it would be if it was growing outdoors.

All year round

Many foods are available all year, as they are imported from other countries.

These countries may have different climates and soil climates to allow the food to grow at different times of the year.

What foods do you know which grow in different countries?