On Saturday mornings, I tuck my daughter into her stroller and we make our way to our neighborhood farmers market to buy seasonal produce and other wares from local makers. Not only does food taste better when it’s sourced locally and purchased during its growing season, I’ve also found that children are more likely to try food they have a connection to. When you’re able to include your children in shopping for and cooking food, it will make tasting the finished product feel like a reward. Use the guide below to help you identify seasonal produce to incorporate into your family’s meals each month.

The list below is a general guide to when veggies and fruits are in season in the Northeast. 

January: Apples, Beets, Cabbage, Dried beans, Herbs, Onions, Parsnips, Pears, Potatoes, Turnips, Winter squash

February: Beets, Cabbage, Carrots, Dried beans, Herbs, Onions, Parsnips, Pears, Potatoes, Turnips, Winter squash

March: Apples, Cabbage, Carrots, Dried beans, Herbs, Onions, Parsnips, Potatoes, Turnips

April: Apples, Carrots, Dry beans, Herbs, Onions, Parsnips, Potatoes

May: Apples, Asparagus, Beet greens, Dried beans, Herbs, Lettuce, Onions, Parsnips, Potatoes, Radishes, Rhubarb, Spinach, Turnip greens

June: Apples, Asparagus, Beet greens, Beets, Broccoli, Cabbage, Dried beans, Garlic, Herbs, Lettuce, Mustard greens, Onions, Peas, Potatoes, Radishes, Rhubarb, Spinach, Strawberries, Summer Squash, Swiss chard

July: Apples, Beet greens, Beets, Blueberries, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Cherries, Collard greens, Dried beans, Garlic, Herbs, Lettuce, Mustard greens, Onions, Peas, Peppers, Potatoes, Radishes, Raspberries, Rhubarb, Snap beans, Spinach, Strawberries, Summer squash, Swiss chard, Tomatoes, Turnip greens, Zucchini

August: Apples, Beet greens, Beets, Blackberries, Blueberries, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cantaloupe, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Collard greens, Corn, Cucumbers, Currants, Dried beans, Eggplant, Garlic, Grapes, Herbs, Leeks, Lettuce, Mustard greens, Onions, Peaches, Pears, Peppers, Plums, Potatoes, Prunes, Radishes, Snap beans, Spinach, Summer squash, Swiss chard, Tomatoes, Turnip greens, Turnips, Winter squash, Zucchini

September: Apples, Beet greens, Beets, Blackberries, Blueberries, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cantaloupe, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Collard greens, Corn, Cucumbers, Dried beans, Eggplant, Garlic, Grapes, Herbs, Kale, Leeks, Lettuce, Lima beans, Mustard greens, Onions, Peaches, Pears, Peas, Peppers, Plums, Potatoes, Prunes, Pumpkin, Radishes, Raspberries, Snap beans, Spinach, Summer squash, Swiss chard, Tomatoes, Turnips, Watermelon, Winter squash, Zucchini

October: Apples, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Collard greens, Corn, Cucumbers, Dry beans, Eggplant, Garlic, Grapes, Herbs, Kale, Leeks, Lettuce, Lima beans, Mustard greens, Onions, Parsnips, Pears, Peas, Peppers, Plums, Potatoes, Pumpkins, Raspberries, Snap beans, Spinach, Summer squash, Swiss chard, Tomatoes, Turnips, Watermelon, Winter squash, Zucchini

November: Apples, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Collard greens, Corn, Cucumbers, Dried beans, Eggplant, Garlic, Herbs, Kale, Leeks, Mustard greens, Onions, Parsnips, Pears, Potatoes, Pumpkin, Turnips, Winter squash

December: Apples, Beets, Cabbage, Carrots, Collard greens, Dried beans, Herbs, Leeks, Onions, Parsnips, Pears, Potatoes, Turnips, Winter squash

Tracy Skelly
Tracy was born and raised in Southern California. In 2009, she relocated to Massachusetts for a master’s program and, for the first time, learned the real meaning of “cold.” With plans to move back home after earning her degree, she foolishly accepted an invitation to dinner from a handsome stranger. He swept her off her feet, and she never made it back to California. Tracy and her husband live in Boston with their daughter, Sophia. Tracy has spent the last 10 years working in operations and business development. She’s an active member of her church community. Her work within the church is focused on local missions — food security, education, homelessness, family care services, and nutrition and health services (something Tracy is particularly passionate about). Recently, Tracy started a small business. The Little Cocoa Bean Company is a social enterprise focused on baby and toddler nutrition. When she’s not working or mom-ing, you can usually find Tracy in her garden. Loves: baby snuggles, plants, musicals, her husband’s laugh, Black art, island vacations, gospel music, big windows, and snow storms Dislikes: weeds, scary movies, chunks in ice cream, laundry, and Mondays