Which fruits and vegetables are in season?
Think of the experience of eating a perfectly ripe, juicy summer tomato—its rich red colour, perfect consistency, bursting with flavour. Buying in-season fruits and vegetables always taste better—and that’s not the only benefit, according to Lisa Hayim, RD, a dietitian in New York City. When you purchase produce at peak season, you get more natural nutrients, she says. “Because seasonal fruits and vegetables don’t undergo lengthy transit times to get from farm to your kitchen, these integral vitamins and minerals are more likely to be preserved by the time you’re ready to eat your produce,” she says.
You’ll also save money: Shorter travel times for your produce means lower shipping costs, which lowers the grocer’s price—savings that get passed on to you at checkout. There’s also the law of supply and demand, says Lindsey Pine, a dietitian in Los Angeles, California. “When fruits and veggies are in season, the farmers will most likely have an abundance of the crop and prices will go down.”
If you’re looking for the freshest of the fresh, your local farmer’s market is a great place to start. And if you’re short on shopping time, join a community-supported agriculture association for fresh, picked-that-morning produce sourced directly from a local farm. And when you’re shopping at the grocery store, you can buy in season with this guide to ensure you get the biggest nutritional bang for your buck.
December
- Broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Grapefruit
- Kale
- Leeks
- Mushrooms
- Oranges
- Papayas
- Parsnips
- Pears
- Pomegranates
- Rutabagas
- Sweet potatoes
- Tangelos
- Tangerines
- Turnips
January
- Broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Grapefruit
- Kale
- Leeks
- Lemons
- Oranges
- Parsnips
- Rutabagas
- Tangelos
- Tangerines
- Turnips
February
- Broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Grapefruit
- Kale
- Leeks
- Lemons
- Oranges
- Parsnips
- Rutabagas
- Tangelos
- Tangerines
- Turnips
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March
- Artichokes
- Broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- Cauliflower
- Leeks
- Lettuce
- Mushrooms
- Parsnips
- Pineapples
- Radishes
- Rutabagas
- Turnips
April
- Artichokes
- Asparagus
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Leeks
- Lettuce
- Mushrooms
- Pineapples
- Radishes
- Rhubarb
- Spring peas
May
- Apricots
- Artichokes
- Asparagus
- Cherries
- Lettuce
- Mangoes
- Okra
- Pineapples
- Radishes
- Rhubarb
- Spring peas
- Strawberries
- Swiss chard
- Zucchini
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June
- Apricots
- Blueberries
- Cantaloupe
- Cherries
- Corn
- Kiwi
- Lettuce
- Mangoes
- Peaches
- Strawberries
- Swiss chard
- Watermelon
- Zucchini
July
- Apricots
- Blackberries
- Blueberries
- Cantaloupe
- Corn
- Cucumbers
- Green beans
- Kiwi
- Kohlrabi
- Lettuce
- Mangoes
- Okra
- Peaches
- Peppers
- Plums
- Raspberries
- Strawberries
- Summer squash
- Swiss chard
- Tomatoes
- Watermelon
- Zucchini
August
- Acorn squash
- Apples
- Apricots
- Blueberries
- Butternut squash
- Cantaloupe
- Corn
- Cucumbers
- Eggplant
- Figs
- Green beans
- Kiwi
- Kohlrabi
- Lettuce
- Mangoes
- Okra
- Peaches
- Peppers
- Plums
- Raspberries
- Strawberries
- Summer squash
- Swiss chard
- Tomatoes
- Watermelon
- Winter squash
- Zucchini
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September
- Acorn squash
- Apples
- Beets
- Butternut squash
- Cantaloupe
- Cauliflower
- Eggplant
- Figs
- Grapes
- Green beans
- Lettuce
- Mangoes
- Mushrooms
- Okra
- Peppers
- Persimmons
- Pomegranates
- Pumpkins
- Spinach
- Sweet potatoes
- Swiss chard
- Tomatoes
October
- Acorn squash
- Apples
- Beets
- Broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- Butternut squash
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Cranberries
- Grapes
- Leeks
- Lettuce
- Mushrooms
- Parsnips
- Persimmons
- Pomegranates
- Pumpkins
- Rutabagas
- Spinach
- Sweet potatoes
- Swiss chard
- Turnips
- Winter squash
November
- Beets
- Broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Cranberries
- Leeks
- Mushrooms
- Oranges
- Parsnips
- Pears
- Persimmons
- Pomegranates
- Pumpkins
- Rutabagas
- Spinach
- Sweet potatoes
- Tangerines
- Turnips
- Winter squash
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