Summer on Long Island has a way of making us appreciate what a beautiful and special place it truly is. The beaches are some of the best in the country, there are endless outdoor fairs, events, and fun things to experience, and you can go from the bustle of NYC to the natural surroundings of the east end in just a short train ride. But one of the greatest treats Long Island has to offer in the summer is that no matter where you live or where your daily activities may take you, you are never far from locally grown, fresh and delicious produce. Once the warm weather rolls around, there’s a large variety of fruits and vegetables on Long Island perfect for picking, and they can all be found nearby at your local farmers market!
As far as refreshing summer treats go, nothing quite beats the flavorful sweetness of freshly picked and perfectly ripened fruit. Fruits each have an optimal harvest period that lasts just about a month or two, so keeping an eye out for what’s in season will help you find the most delicious fruit at the right times and best prices. June and July is best for strawberry season, July is the perfect month for picking cherries, and August comes with a ton of ripe blackberries! Peaches, cantaloupes, blueberries, and plums can all be found in the late summer months around July and into September… and keep an eye out for Raspberries during this time too, as they start to ripen!
Vegetables typically have longer harvesting periods than fruit, which means a large variety of fresh local veggies can be found easily for most of the summer and fall months. String beans, beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, collard greens, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, lettuce, peas, peppers, radishes, spinach, summer squash, and tomatoes can all start to be harvested in the mid summer months of July and August, and most can continue to be harvested into the fall months of September and October, or even as late as November depending on how long the first frost holds out for the year.
For a chart of the best time to look for the freshest fruits and vegetables around the island, there are a variety of links in the agriculture section of our website, including a vegetable growing guide (www.ccesuffolk.org) where you can find information about a variety of fruits and vegetables, their best harvesting times, and even tips on how you can get started growing fresh fruits and veggies in your own back yard. To find a local farmers market where you can get local fresh produce, you can check out a searchable map here. Supporting your local farm stand is a great way to contribute to your community while you get the benefits of their fresh, nutritious, and delicious products.
Linda Altenburger, Senior Nutritionist, SNAP-Ed