When you’re trying to eat more whole foods, June’s harvest of fresh fruits and vegetables will have you licking your lips in anticipation. The month kicks off Ohio’s summer season for whole food goodness — a Garden of Eden for fresh, garden eating.
If you’re not harvesting your own crops, you-pick farms, farmer’s markets, and roadside stands make eating fresh, local food easier than ever.
Why go local for fruits and vegetables in season? The less time between the fields and your table means more freshness for you to enjoy. Local fruits and vegetables in season are usually less expensive too, so you can stretch your food budget farther. And don’t forget the farmers — buying local helps them keep feeding you.
According to the Ohio Farm Bureau here are the fresh fruits and vegetables Ohioans can plan on moving into the menu rotation in June:
Fruits
Berries of all colors and kinds abound in June, making it a berry, berry good month. Berries pack a nutritional punch that’s hard to beat and do double duty as a sweet treat. They’re filled with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that help prevent cancer, boost heart health, keep your brain sharp and more.
- Black raspberries
- Blueberries
- Cherries
- Gooseberries
- Red raspberries
- Strawberries
Vegetables
Break out the salad bowl because June’s vegetables are going to keep it filled. The crisp and crunch of this fiber-filling harvest is loaded with reasons to dig in, among them: antioxidants and vitamins that fight disease, build and repair tissue, and reduce the risk of heart disease. Calcium, potassium, and protein help build muscles and bones, too.
- Asparagus
- Beets
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Cilantro
- Collards
- Endive and escarole
- Green onions
- Kale
- Leafy lettuce
- Mustard greens
- Parsley
- Peas
- Radishes
- Rhubarb
- Snap beans
- Spinach
- Squash (zucchini and summer)
- Turnip greens
Looking for a healthy way to use those fruits and veggies? Check out our recipes!
