Fresh, lively, and bursting with flavor — that’s the beauty of eating in-season fruits and vegetables right from your local farmers market. Passing among the rainbow of stalls, there’s a feast for the senses, from the earthy smell of just-picked root vegetables to the enticing sight of ripe fruits glistening in the sun. Visiting an in-season farmers market is not only a delightful way to shop, but also a move toward healthier eating and a healthier planet.
Wondering why it matters whether we buy local, seasonal food? This guide will explain the value of buying at farmers markets, help you know what’s in season, and will even offer a few easy recipes to get thoughts stirring for your next meal.
Why Eating Seasonal Food and Shopping At Farmers Markets Just Makes Sense
Seasonal eating is more than a trend; it’s a simple way to remind yourself of nature’s cycles and to support your community. Some good reasons to go to an in-season farmers market when you can:
Health Benefits
Harvest produce when it is at its peak of ripeness, and it will be more nutritious and taste better. Seasonal food is freshly harvested and has been trucked and cold-stored for weeks. It means you’re getting fruits and vegetables that are loaded with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. For instance, strawberries purchased in the summer when they’re in season contain more vitamin C than the ones you buy shipped in other seasons.
Environmental Benefits
Purchasing locally and in season can substantially reduce the carbon footprint from transporting food. That’s because seasonal foods do not require long periods of refrigeration or preservation, and that is much kinder for the environment. And many farmers’ markets emphasize sustainable growing practices, meaning you’re contributing to a food system that is kinder to the environment.
Supporting Local Economies
When you buy from a farmers market, you enable small, family-owned farms to succeed. One hundred percent of the money that is spent goes to the farmer and not to middlemen or big corporations. This supports the local economy and builds a community.
Unmatched Flavor
It’s hard to argue away the difference between a tomato that’s been ripened on the vine and picked at its prime and grown a few miles away, versus one that’s been ripened in transit and traveled thousands of miles to arrive at your supermarket. Purchasing in season means you get to eat these foods at their most delicious. And your taste buds will appreciate the gift.
Produce Guide: What to Buy When Produce Is in Season
Not sure what’s in season now? Use this fast guide to purchase the freshest of fruits and vegetables at your local farmers market. Keep in mind, seasonal availability may be different where you live, so check with your local farmers!
Spring
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Fruit: Strawberries, apricots, cherries
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Vegetables: Asparagus, spinach, radishes, peas, artichokes
Summer
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Fruit: Peaches, plums, watermelon, berries
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Vegetables: Sweet corn, green beans, zucchini, cucumbers, bell peppers
Fall
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Fruits: Apples, pears, pomegranates, persimmons
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Veggies: Squash, pumpkins, sweets, kale, Brussels (product — via Raw Story)
Winter
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Fruit: Oranges, grapefruits, kiwis
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Vegetables: Carrots, parsnips, leeks, broccoli, cauliflower
Being educated about what’s in season can inform your meal planning, allowing you to make the most of the freshest ingredients and, indeed, to eat more for your money.
Barely Recipes to Showcase the Best of What You Found at the Market
How should I enjoy my visit to the market? Cooking it, of course! Here are some recipes for you to bring your fresh finds home and make them into satisfying spring meals.
Springtime Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe
Ingredients:
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Fresh spinach
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Strawberries (cut into halves) few (halved)
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Sliced almonds
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Feta cheese
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Balsamic vinaigrette
Directions:
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Combine spinach, strawberries, and almonds in a large bowl.
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Sprinkle with crumbled feta, and drizzle with balsamic vinaigrette.
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Enjoy as a side dish or light meal.
Summer Skewers of Grilled Zucchini and Corn
Ingredients:
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2 small green or yellow zucchini (cut into very thick slices)
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Fresh corn (cut into chunks)
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Cherry tomatoes
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Olive oil
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Salt and pepper
Directions:
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Sort zucchini, corn, and cherry tomatoes onto skewers.
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Drizzle with oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper.
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Grill for approximately 8–10 minutes, turning once, until veggies are charred a bit.
Fall Harvest Sweet Potato Hash
Ingredients:
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Sweet potato (peeled and cubed)
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Kale (chopped)
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Red onion (diced)
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Olive oil
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Salt, pepper, and paprika
Directions:
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Saute sweet potatoes and onions in olive oil until soft.
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Stir in the kale and spices and cook until wilted.
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Serve as a side, or throw an egg on top for breakfast.
Winter Citrus and Roasted Carrot Bowls
Ingredients:
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Carrots (peeled, sliced, and roasted)
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Oranges (peeled and sectioned)
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Arugula
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Feta cheese
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Lemon vinaigrette
Directions:
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Arrange arugula in a bowl.
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Toss in roasted carrots, orange segments, and feta cheese.
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To serve, drizzle with lemon vinaigrette and eat!
Take Your Local Farmers Market to the Next Level
Paying a visit to an in-season farmers market is one of the easiest and most gratifying things you can do to get healthy food in your diet, to be a friend to the planet, and to your community, too. Whether you’re an experienced home cook or someone whose cooking skills are rudimentary, the bounty of the season provides all the inspiration you need.
Visit your farmers market this weekend, see what’s in season, and test drive some new recipes. Need an easy way to start? Choose a recipe from the guide, buy the ingredients at the market, and make something delicious. It’s a little thing to do to be healthier and more sustainable, and you will soon be head-over-heels in love.