It is a benefit to your health to eat fresh fruits and vegetables. A local farmer’s market can be a perfect spot to find fruits and vegetables that are in season now in Wisconsin and other Midwest states.

Starting early summer through fall, farmer’s markets are popping up throughout Wisconsin and beyond. To find a farmer’s market near you, visit the Wisconsin Farmers Market Association website or Farm Fresh Atlas website.

Knowing what’s in season and a few basic tips for picking fresh produce can help when you’re at the farmer’s market, said Linda Daubner, a registered dietitian with Marshfield Clinic Health System.

Some farmer’s markets offer recipes and cooking demonstrations, she said. If yours doesn’t, ask vendors how they like to dish up the food they’re selling or get ideas from a farmer’s market cookbook.

Fresh picks at the farmer’s market

Don’t worry if you’re not sure how to thump a melon or sniff out fresh fruit.

Most farmer’s market produce is freshly picked and ready to eat or prepare, Daubner said.

“Vendors take pride in what they’ve grown and wouldn’t present something of poor quality,” she said.

If you’re still unsure what to pick, use these guidelines for selecting produce:

• Avoid produce that appears bruised.
• Choose firm, even-colored fruits and vegetables.
• Leafy greens should be crisp and consistently colored.
• Ask the vendor what to look for in specific fruits or vegetables.

Why shop at the farmer’s market?

If you want to add more fruits and veggies to your diet, the farmer’s market is the place to be.

People report eating more produce when they shop at farmer’s markets, Daubner said.

“Adding more fruits and vegetables has many health benefits, including reducing the risk for many types of cancer,” she said. “Vegetables are high in nutrition and low in calories, making them ideal for anyone who wants to maintain a healthy weight.”

Besides improving your health and buying produce in season, frequenting the farmer’s market improves the health of the local economy by supporting farmers.

What fruit and vegetables are in season?

Check out the chart below to see what fruits and vegetables are in season June through September in Wisconsin and other Midwest states, and why it’s good for your health.

Download list of fruits and vegetables in June

Download list of fruits and vegetables in July-August

Download list of fruits and vegetables in September

For more on the benefits of fresh fruits and vegetables, talk to a Marshfield Clinic Health System provider.

Schedule appointment Message your provider