Family farms and small businesses are the backbone of our communities. -Tom Allen
Before the advent of global shipping, eating fruits and vegetables while they were in season was literally the only option. Without access to the different areas and climates that span the globe, people were relegated to consuming locally grown, seasonal produce. While that may seem like something out of the Dark Ages, it was true as recently as 75 years ago.
Currently, the culinary world is experiencing a resurgence of interest in locally grown seasonal produce., and for good reason. The more locally grown the produce, the fresher it is when delivered. The fresher the produce, the better the flavor. As a bonus, locally grown produce is often less expensive than produce that is shipped in, because local produce doesn’t accrue shipping costs that are passed along to the consumer. Following that logic, buying local also keeps the money local, meaning area farmers can afford to plant more crops or buy new harvesting equipment to get the crops to market.
In the spirit of local produce, we’ve put together this list of what’s in season this summer. Though not all of these grow in every part of the country, it’s certain that at least some of these grow locally to you. Check out farmer’s markets and crop shares to see what produce your region produces.
Fruits
- Apples
- Apricots
- Bananas
- Blackberries
- Blueberries
- Cantaloupe
- Melons
- Cherries
- Peaches
- Plums
- Nectarines
- Watermelon
- Cherries
Since berries are so prominent on this list of seasonal fruits, we figured the best way to use them to their highest potential is this summer berry pie. By using a mix of berries at the peak of freshness, you can encapsulate the feeling of summer into every delicious bite.
Vegetables
- Tomatoes
- Summer squash
- Zucchini
- Okra
- Collard Greens
- Bell Peppers
- Corn
- Celery
- Carrots
For the ideal use of summer veggies, break out the grill. This rustic yet complex dish of grilled summer vegetables brings the tastes of Tuscany right to your backyard. These grilled veggies are amazing when served hot off the grill, but they might be even better when served at room temp over a salad of orzo and feta with a touch of balsamic vinegar.
Summer fruits and veggies are at the peak of goodness as we speak. Make use of them and compare them to produce that has travelled hundreds of miles-the difference will astonish you. After one taste of fresh, in-season fruits and vegetables, you’ll probably be doing most of your produce shopping at local farmer’s markets, or even growing your own produce in your backyard, and that’s always a good thing.
