Summer (finally here!) is the time of the year where we have the opportunity to celebrate the abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables. From your local farmers’ markets to area farm stands, you are welcoming the endless possibilities from all colors of the rainbow. Although most fruits and vegetables are now available all year round at supermarkets, the offerings from your local farmers’ markets will taste infinitely better and are actually more nutritious. “The nutritional value of fruits and veggies declines over time, so freshly picked produce is going to pack more nutrients than items that have been sitting in a warehouse for weeks,” says Sara Haas, RDN, a chef and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Local produce are picked at their peak, therefore they taste better than those that were artificially forced into ripeness. Navigating the market can be overwhelming – from fresh berries and sweet peaches to corn and fresh herbs. Registered Dietitians at Stamford Hospital recommend sticking to seasonal items that are unique to this time of the year for your yearly dose of natural, colorful goodness! Visit your local farmers’ market throughout the summer to get to know new produce , and the farmers who make it all happen!

Seasonal fruits and vegetables on the East Coast include: apples, beets, blueberries, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, collards, corn, cucumber, green beans, herbs, mesclun greens, peaches, peppers, plums, potatoes, radishes, scallions, spinach, summer squash, Swiss chard, tomatoes, turnip greens.

References:
http://www.nutrition.gov/farmers-markets
http://www.grownyc.org/greenmarket/whatsavailable