Current:Home > StocksWhat fruits are in season right now? Find these spring picks at a farmer's market near you-LoTradeCoin
What fruits are in season right now? Find these spring picks at a farmer's market near you
View Date:2025-01-11 11:42:26
Americans don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables as it is, and keeping up with what's in season can present even more of a challenge.
But the payoff is big – seasonal produce is generally less expensive, tastier and more nutritious because it’s picked at peak ripeness, says Tiffany Chung, the director of education at Foodwise, a nonprofit based in California.
Buying local, seasonal produce is also better for the environment, though it’s just one small step in creating a more sustainable diet.
What fruit is in season right now?
Produce seasonality varies from state to state – what’s in season varies across the country.
You can check for seasonal produce in your area by using this interactive Seasonal Food Guide, which uses data from the Natural Resources Defense Council as well as state departments of agriculture and university extension programs throughout the U.S.
According to Chung, the best way to see what’s in season is to visit your local farmer’s market, which they call “highly seasonal places.”
“You’ll actually see the rotation of different produce that’s in season and then you can carry that on to whatever place that you do shop,” Chung says. Growers and sellers can also instruct you how to use unfamiliar seasonal produce in your meals.
Chung uses a quick trick to estimate what's in season. We sometimes forget that fruits and vegetables are also plants, she says, and plants grow differently throughout the year as conditions change.
Healthiest fruits:These eight are expert recommended
What fruits are spring fruits?
“What fruits and veggies are more closely aligned to flowers or things that are sprouting?” Chung asks. “(In California), we’ve got a lot of delicate greens that are available in the springtime, we’ve got peas, pea shoots, garlic scapes, the flowers of different onions … or broccoli flowers. We’re thinking about things that are just about ready to grow.”
That image might translate to vegetables a little more easily, but there are plenty of fruits in season during the spring as well. Here’s what the USDA broadly lists as seasonal, though this may differ by location. For more specific information, check your area on the Seasonal Food Guide.
- Apples
- Apricots
- Avocados
- Bananas
- Kiwifruit
- Lemons
- Limes
- Pineapples
- Strawberries
What fruits are summer fruits?
During summertime in North America, the heat is cranked up and we’ve got a lot more sunlight to go around. It’s the perfect time for a refreshing fruit smoothie to cool you down. Chung looks to produce that requires a lot of sun to grow, like stone fruits like plums, peaches and cherries.
The USDA notes these fruits are seasonal during the summer, though this may differ by location. For more specific information, check your area on the Seasonal Food Guide.
- Apples
- Apricots
- Avocados
- Bananas
- Blackberries
- Blueberries
- Cantaloupe
- Cherries
- Honeydew Melon
- Lemons
- Limes
- Mangos
- Peaches
- Plums
- Raspberries
- Strawberries
- Tomatillos
- Tomatoes
- Watermelon
What fruits are fall fruits?
Fall is a transitional season, and Chung taps into fall holidays when thinking of seasonal produce. Think apples and pumpkins for Halloween and potatoes and squash for Thanksgiving.
The USDA lists these as fall seasonal fruits, though this may differ by location. For more specific information, check your area on the Seasonal Food Guide.
- Apples
- Bananas
- Cranberries
- Grapes
- Kiwifruit
- Lemons
- Limes
- Mangos
- Pears
- Pineapples
- Pomegranates
- Raspberries
What fruits are winter fruits?
Root vegetables and hearty greens thrive in the winter months because of the cold temperatures and less sunlight.
“It’s cold, things are going to grow underground,” Chung says.
But there are some exceptions. Oranges, for example, are often associated with sunshine and warm weather, but they actually peak over the winter months.
Here’s what the USDA lists as seasonal in winter. This may differ from your local offerings. For more specific information, check your area on the Seasonal Food Guide.
- Apples
- Avocados
- Bananas
- Grapefruit
- Kiwifruit
- Lemons
- Limes
- Oranges
- Pears
- Pineapples
- Pomegranates
Just Curious for more? We've got you covered.
USA TODAY is exploring the questions you and others ask every day. From "What is the healthiest fruit?" to "Is V8 juice good for you?" to "How long does spring last?" – we're striving to find answers to the most common questions you ask every day. Head to our Just Curious section to see what else we can answer for you.
veryGood! (5)
Related
- Infowars auction could determine whether Alex Jones is kicked off its platforms
- As Baltimore’s Sewer System Buckles Under Extreme Weather, City Refuses to Help Residents With Cleanup Efforts
- Ex-YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki dies a year after stepping down. Who is the current CEO?
- 4 killed in series of crashes on Ohio Turnpike, closing route in both directions
- Louisville officials mourn victims of 'unthinkable' plant explosion amid investigation
- Drugs to treat diabetes, heart disease and blood cancers among those affected by price negotiations
- US unemployment claims fall 7,000 to 227,000 in sign of resiliency in job market
- J.J. McCarthy's season-ending injury is a setback, but Vikings might find upside
- Shaun White Reveals How He and Fiancée Nina Dobrev Overcome Struggles in Their Relationship
- Budget-Friendly Dorm Room Decor: Stylish Ideas Starting at $11
Ranking
- Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul stirs debate: Is this a legitimate fight?
- Collin Gosselin Says He Was Discharged from the Marines Due to Being Institutionalized by Mom Kate
- 'Truffles is just like me:' How a Pennsylvania cat makes kids feel proud to wear glasses
- Have you noticed? Starbucks changed its iced coffee blend for the first time in 18 years
- Brittany Cartwright Defends Hooking Up With Jax Taylor's Friend Amid Their Divorce
- Rob Schneider Responds to Daughter Elle King Calling Out His Parenting
- Austin Dillon loses automatic playoff berth for actions in crash-filled NASCAR win
- Don't be fooled by the name and packaging: Fruit snacks are rarely good for you. Here's why.
Recommendation
-
2 Florida women charged after shooting death of photographer is livestreamed
-
Donald Trump asks judge to delay sentencing in hush money case until after November election
-
Australian Olympic Committee hits out at criticism of controversial breaker Rachael Gunn
-
California man accused of slashing teen's throat after sexual assault: Police
-
U.S.-Mexico water agreement might bring relief to parched South Texas
-
What to stream: Post Malone goes country, Sydney Sweeney plays a nun and Madden 25 hits the field
-
Kaley Cuoco and Tom Pelphrey announce engagement with new photos
-
Traveling? Here Are the Best Life-Saving Travel Accessories You Need To Pack, Starting at Just $7
Like
- Wicked Director Jon M. Chu Reveals Name of Baby Daughter After Missing Film's LA Premiere for Her Birth
- Jordanian man attacks Florida power facility and private businesses over their support for Israel
- Gena Rowlands, acting powerhouse and star of movies by her director-husband, John Cassavetes, dies