Author: Katie Nunemaker, Dietetic Intern and recipient of the 2020 Frederick Green Memorial Internship in Nutrition Communications Award
September is National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month, therefore we want to help you be a savvy produce shopper. Purchasing food when it’s fresh in season has many benefits for you, the producer, and the economy. Seasonal foods are delicious, and they allow the consumer to enjoy them during the season, but rest assure that either, fresh, frozen, canned, dried or 100% juice also delivers essential nutrients, great taste and are proven to support your health and wellbeing.
How do I know what’s in season?
Foods that are in season vary from region to region. However, the following guide shows when certain foods are commonly in season in the US.
Summer
Apples
Apricots
Avocados
Bananas
Beets
Bell Peppers
Blackberries
Blueberries
Cantaloupe
Carrots
Celery
Cherries
Corn
Cucumbers
Eggplant
Figs
Garlic
Green Beans
Honeydew Melon
Leeks
Lemons
Lima Beans
Limes
Mangos
Nectarines
Okra
Peaches
Pears
Plums
Raspberries
Strawberries
Summer Squash
Tomatillos
Tomatoes
Watermelon
Zucchini
Fall
Apples
Bananas
Beets
Bell Peppers
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Carrots
Cauliflower
Celery
Collard Greens
Cranberries
Garlic
Ginger
Grapes
Green Beans
Kale
Kiwifruit
Lemons
Lettuce
Limes
Mangos
Mushrooms
Onions
Parsnips
Pears
Peas
Pineapples
Potatoes
Pumpkin
Radishes
Raspberries
Rutabagas
Spinach
Sweet Potatoes
Swiss Chard
Turnips
Winter Squash
Yams
Winter
Apples
Avocados
Bananas
Beets
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Carrots
Celery
Collard Greens
Grapefruit
Kale
Kiwifruit
Leeks
Lemons
Limes
Onions
Oranges
Parsnips
Pears
Pineapples
Potatoes
Pumpkin
Rutabagas
Sweet Potatoes
Swiss Chard
Turnips
Winter Squash
Yams
Spring
Apples
Apricots
Asparagus
Avocados
Bananas
Broccoli
Cabbage
Carrots
Celery
Collard Greens
Garlic
Kale
Kiwifruit
Lemons
Lettuce
Limes
Mushrooms
Onions
Peas
Pineapples
Radishes
Rhubarb
Spinach
Strawberries
Swiss Chard
Turnips
Where can I buy seasonal foods?
Seasonal foods are easier to find than they may seem. Many locally-owned grocery stores purchase produce from farms and orchards in the area, making it easy to support local farms without making the trek to them yourself.
Local farms also sell seasonal items at farmers’ markets, typically on Saturdays, in medium to large-sized cities. Many of these farms offer deals, and some farmers’ markets around the US accept food stamps as payment for food items.
If you’re in the mood for adventure, you can also make the trip to local farms with small markets or “pick-your-own” programs allowing you to choose your product from the farm.
For more information about food markets…
Locate your city’s website, and look under “things to do.” These tabs typically show available markets and when they’re offered.
