Fresh fruits and veggies are nutrient-dense foods that are vital to your health. Eating local, in-season produce is the best bet for your money, because you’ll get the highest quality vitamins and minerals—plus in-season fruits and vegetables tend to be more affordable. Not only that, but by buying local you will be supporting Maine farmers. It’s a win-win-win decision for your health, your budget, and your community!
A Month-by-Month Guide to Fresh Food in Maine
Once you’ve made the healthy decision to add more local, seasonal fruits and vegetables to your diet, knowing what’s available can help you prepare and plan your meals. Here’s a month-by-month breakdown of what you’re likely to find in season from local farms, thanks to the Maine Federation of Farmers’ Markets, along with a favorite recipe for each month’s seasonal produce.
January
Apples, beets, cabbage, carrots, celeriac, garlic, leeks, microgreens, onions, parsnips, potatoes, pumpkins, swedes, shallots, sweet potatoes, turnips, winter squash
Roast that winter squash into a dinner of Stuffed Acorn Squash.
February
Apples, beets, cabbage, carrots, celeriac, garlic, leeks, microgreens, onions, parsnips, potatoes, pumpkins, rutabagas, shallots, sweet potatoes, turnips, winter squash
Winter calls for hearty, healthy Cabbage Roll Soup.
March
Apples, beets, cabbage, carrots, celeriac, garlic, leeks, microgreens, onions, parsnips, potatoes, pumpkins, rutabagas, shallots, sweet potatoes, turnips, winter squash
Warm, comforting, vibrantly colored, and packed with vitamins, Carrot Ginger Soup seems made for March in Maine.
April
Apples, beets, cabbage, carrots, celeriac, garlic, leeks, microgreens, onions, parsnips, potatoes, pumpkins, rutabagas, shallots, sweet potatoes, turnips, winter squash
Healthy Pumpkin Muffins are easy to make, easy to eat, and great for your heart.
May
Parsnips, radishes, salad greens, scallions, spinach
Featuring May vegetable superstars radishes, scallions, and salad greens, our Spring in Maine Salad is simple and bright.
June
Asparagus, beet greens, bok choy, chives, dandelion greens, kale, lettuce, parsley, peas, radishes, rhubarb, scallions, spinach, Swiss chard, turnip greens, turnips
Part comfort food, part spring zing, our recipe for Springtime Herb Pasta with Asparagus is fresh with flavor.
July
Beets, blueberries, braising greens, broccoli, carrots, corn, cucumbers, fennel, garlic, garlic scapes, herbs, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, microgreens onions, mixed salad greens, radishes, raspberries, scallions, snow peas, strawberries, sugar snap peas, summer squash, Swiss chard, turnips
Zucchini season has begun! Zucchini is our #5 pick for the cheapest and healthiest green veggies. Try making Zoodles.
August
Apples, artichokes, beans, beets, bell peppers, blueberries, broccoli, cabbage, cantaloupe, carrots, cauliflower, celery, cherries, cherry tomatoes, collard greens, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, fennel, garlic, herbs, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, melons, microgreens, mixed salad greens, onions, peaches, plums, potatoes, pumpkins, radishes, raspberries, scallions, summer squash, Swiss chard, tomatoes, turnips, watermelon, zucchini
Baba Ganoush makes a party dip out of eggplants, which is perfect for dipping all of August’s raw veggies in.
September
Apples, beans, beets, bell peppers, blueberries, broccoli, cabbage, cantaloupe, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chili peppers, corn, cucumbers, delicata squash, eggplant, fennel, garlic, greens, herbs, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, melons, onions, potatoes, pumpkins, raspberries, scallions, spinach, squash, Swiss chard, tomatoes, turnips, watermelon, zucchini
There are so many fruits and veggies available in September in Maine. Try this versatile Vegetable Frittata and mix up what you dish out.
October
Apples, beans, beets, bell peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cantaloupe, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chili peppers, corn, cucumbers, delicata squash, eggplant, fennel, garlic, ginger, grapes, greens, herbs, kale, kohlrabi, leeks, lettuce, melons, mushrooms, onions, parsnips, pears, potatoes, pumpkins, radishes, raspberries, scallions, spinach, squash, sweet potatoes, Swiss chard, tomatoes, tomatillos, turnips, zucchini
Delight in apple season with these Apple Fritters on your breakfast plate.
November
Apples, beans, beets, bok choy, broccoli rabe, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celeriac, chard, collards, daikon, garlic, herbs, Jerusalem artichokes, kale, kohlrabi, leeks, lettuce, mushrooms, onions, parsnips, potatoes, pumpkin, radicchio, radish, rutabaga, spinach, squash, turnip
Transform potassium-rich parsnips into Gingery Parsnip Fries.
December
Apples, cranberries, beets, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, celeriac, garlic, kohlrabi, onions, parsnips, potatoes, pumpkins, squash, sweet potatoes
Combine chicken with December seasonal produce in Maine and you get Roasted Chicken with Sweet Potato and Apple.
Where to Find Local Food and How to Afford It
Now that you know what’s in season each month in Maine, find a community-supported agriculture (CSA) farm or farmers market near you.
Fresh food can be more affordable than other options, and Maine has special programs to encourage everyone to eat locally. Most farmers markets and many CSA shares accept SNAP/EBT funds, and often offer special bonuses, like Maine Harvest Bucks, that can stretch SNAP dollars further. In addition, low-income older adults may be eligible to participate in the Maine Senior FarmShare Program.