It may have been a mild winter but it seemed like real spring would never come here in New England. The nights stayed cold well into May delaying the start of many home gardens. Finally, summer seems to have arrived and with it the growing season. Farms stands are starting to open up and pick-your-own locations are slowly opening up as well. A late spring cold snap in May did not help plant growth but choices are expanding daily. It’s time to think about trading supermarket visits for the open spaces of farms and farm stands. It may be a few more weeks before you start to see a large variety of produce available in New England but now is the time to start planning.
How to find what’s in season?
A large variety of fruit and vegetables grows in New England. The variety changes continuously as weather conditions impact what grows when. The changes can be frustrating. Strawberries have a short growing season, with only about a month in June to enjoy them at their local peak. The same is true for asparagus. Taking advantage of the local bounty sometimes requires making quick moves and taking every opportunity to stop at farm stands. On the other hand, the changing growing calendar provides built in variety to our diets, ensuring that dinner never gets boring.
So how do you find out what is in season and when? You can ask the farmer at your local farm or stand. Keep an eye open for roadside signs that point you to what each farm has to offer now. If you want to set expectations, before heading out, there are online resources you can check. Below is just a sample of the resources you can use to find information about the growing season in your area.
- FarmFlavor.com provides a variety of information on farms and ranches throughout the US. You can find information on farms, recipes, links and calendars on what is in season. Visit https://www.farmflavor.com/ and select your state to learn more.
- Your local state department of agriculture provides valuable information and links to farms for both residents and visitors. Search online for your local department of agriculture website.
- When you are looking for specific information about what farms offer pick-your-own experiences check out PickYourOwn.org. The site offers frequently updated information on farms in your area. Many offer pick-your-own and pick-up farm stand options. Select your state to find options near you. https://www.pickyourown.org/
- CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture farms) offer a unique opportunity to eat fresh and in season and support local farms. Instead of figuring out what is available when, a CSA share allows you to pick up a curated selection of fresh food every week throughout the season. If you want to find out more about CSAs, find a local farm and even sign up for a share, check out https://www.harvie.farm/.
Exploring is half the fun
While each resource offers useful information, none provide a complete picture of local farms and offerings. Most online resources rely on self-reporting by farmers so checking multiple resources is essential. Small and even “backyard” farms may not show up on listings but can offer fantastic products close to home. Keep your eyes open for signs, as you travel your local roads, and ask friends and neighbors for recommendations. Discovering a new favorite source of fresh produce can be fun.
I hope you find these resources useful and take some time to explore all that your local farms have to offer during the growing season. Make sure to check signs and websites, or Facebook pages, for availability and hours. Remember that many farms also offer CSA options and some shares may still be available for purchase in your area.
In season produce scavenger hunt
Growing seasons differ across the country but exploring is fun no matter where you live. The scavenger hunt here is based on the New England climate so it may need some adjusting where you live. Look over a table of local produce in season in June in your area before you begin. The activity is simple, fun and delicious. Visit a local farm, farm stand or pick-your won. You may want to visit more than one. Collect as many representative foods as you can find (remember that weather and other conditions affect availability so you may not find everything) and snap a picture or two of the bounty you collected. Share your experience in comments. I would love to hear from you. This a fun activity for kids so if you have some hanging around the house, bored, get them involved and visit a farm together.
Scavenger hunt for in season produce image.
Incorporate what’s in season into your weekly menu
Once you have your bounty, come up with a menu using the items you found. Find some recipes that include your collection. Many resources highlighting local farms also provide recipe ideas. Get the family involved in preparing your haul. The flavor of freshly picked, local produce cannot be beat or replicated. Whether for dinner, dessert or fresh snack your taste buds will be amazed. Save recipes and your pictures for reference. Next year you can challenge yourself to find and eat an even bigger selection.
I love enjoying local flavor. The options are amazing, the taste is fantastic and I can see where my food came from. Even better my taste buds are happy along with my wallet and waist. Food that tastes great and helps keep me healthy is always a winner. You do not have to order fancy meal boxes, spend hundreds on supplements or follow complicated diets to live and be healthy. The flavor and nutrients from local produce check all the boxes and they can be found right around the corner from where you live.
Enjoy your local bounty! Live a delicious and healthy life.
Eating healthy and delicious food can be fun and affordable. Exploring seasonal offerings helps with exploring new foods and your local environment. Knowing where your food comes from and just how delicious it can be when picked at its peak of freshness can be life changing. Everyone can have fun learning more about where our food comes from. Eating local is just one way to live a healthy life. My programs help you discover many other ways. Check out the currently available programs and deals on the Programs and Services tab. You can also preview course content and register on my online school dashboard.