Your Guide to Buying Local Fruits & Veggies

Buying produce seems like a mindless task, but in all reality, you do need to buy certain items at specific times of the year. This will ensure you get the best tasting product instead of harvests that aren't full of flavor. This is your guide to buying local crops at the right time!

Summer is upon us and now is the ideal time to buy many fruits and veggies! Here is a quick list of items to purchase during the hot season:

APPLES

BEETS

BLACK & BLUE BERRIES

CARROTS

CANTALOUPES

CHERRIES

CORN

CUCUMBERS

GARLIC

PEACHES

PLUMS

RASPBERRIES

STRAWBERRIES

SQUASH & ZUCCHINI

TOMATOES

WATERMELON

Cherries, lettuce, and strawberries are the first to arrive during the month of June. Beets, cucumbers, corn, and tomatoes start to arrive at stands in July. Cantaloupe, carrots, peaches, raspberries, and squash are quick to follow in August. During the summer months, you can pretty much find all of the above, but their ripeness and peak flavors hit during certain months. With the hot temperatures upon us already, you may find some items sooner than normal this year.

When fall hits in September, you will have a myriad of choices! Including everything in the summer list because their peak season lasts for months, but you will also have a couple new options as well. Grapes, pears, pumpkins, and watermelons start to get juicier and flavorful during the cooler fall months. You'll start seeing more ripe potatoes, winter squash, and greens during the autumn as well. This is why a lot of the menu options for Thanksgiving are what they are because it is the time of year that those foods are the ripest and freshest.

Take these tips into account when purchasing your next fruits and veggies. We didn't go into winter and spring, but those seasons have plenty to offer as well. If you can buy local, try to do that instead of wasting money at the grocery store. Local produce stands will have better prices, fresher product, and the knowledge to help you buy the right item. Swing by your local farmer market or even a roadside fruit stand to get the finest produce possible during the summer months!