When thinking about summer produce, you might automatically think about enjoying fresh slices of watermelon by the pool; cutting ripe tomatoes and crunchy cucumbers to enjoy on top of local salad greens; or biting into sweet corn on the cob at Fourth of July picnics. While these are truly summertime favorites, there is an abundance of other fresh, seasonal fruit and vegetable options available to explore.
When shopping in your local market, be on the lookout for signage that calls attention to locally-grown produce in your region. Keep an eye out for some of these colorful produce options being grown by farmers across the country all summer long. Remember, they’re just a handful of what you’re bound to find!
Cherries
In mid-May, cherry season begins in California and peaks in July when the growing season moves to Washington State. Fun fact – since cherries are allowed to ripen on the tree before being harvested, packed and shipped, they’re typically available for purchase within days of being picked!
Stone Fruit
With an assortment to choose from, peaches, nectarines, plums, apricots and white-flesh peaches and nectarines peak in June and July. Besides snacking on your favorite stone fruit, don’t forget to try them halved and grilled for a delicious caramelized dessert.
Avocados
Throughout the summer and early fall is when you can enjoy avocados grown in California. Since they’re not available year-round, be sure to look for the “California” Avocado sticker when selecting them in store!
Berries
From strawberries to blueberries and raspberries to blackberries, your favorite berries will remain in season throughout the entire summer months. While primarily grown in California, many regional farmers grown berries throughout the season as well.
Summer Squash
Yellow squash and zucchini are grown across the country, from early June right into the fall. They taste wonderful sliced or diced and sautéed or made into noodle form for light and fresh summer meals.
Tomatillos
Also known as Mexican Husk Tomato, tomatillos grow best in warm climates like California and are sweeter and tangier than traditional tomatoes. Enjoy cooked or uncooked in recipes. To amp up your taco night, be sure to add this flavor-packed Salsa Verde to your menu!
The post Summer Produce To Explore first appeared in The Foundation for Fresh Produce’s Have A Plant® blog.
Written by: Andrea Luttrell, RDN, LD, Big Y Foods
Andrea is a Registered and Licensed Dietitian Nutritionist based out of Massachusetts. She has worked for the nutrition program at Big Y Foods, Inc., a family owned and operated grocery store chain, since 2006 and became the second Corporate Registered Dietitian Nutritionist for the be well™ with Big Y® program in 2009. Andrea holds an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration from Holyoke Community College and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Nutrition from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where she also completed her Dietetic Internship. With a passion for food, cooking and overall wellbeing, Andrea strives to teach simple lifestyle changes that make big impacts on health.
About The Foundation For Fresh Produce And Have A Plant® Movement
The Foundation for Fresh Produce’s vision is to grow a healthier world by changing the trajectory of human health. The produce industry has the potential to provide solutions for many of the world’s greatest health and economic challenges – especially those surrounding nutrition and hunger.
The Foundation focuses on improving the appeal of fruit and vegetables as an integral part of people’s diets, supporting the development of infrastructure and supply chain solutions that provide easier access, and establishing strategic alliances that enable children and families to form healthier eating habits.
The transformative Have A Plant® Movement inspires consumers with compelling reasons to believe in the powerful role fruits and vegetables can play to fuel happy, healthy and active lifestyles.
