From May through July, North Carolina offers an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables. Seasonal favorites include blueberries, strawberries, peaches, watermelon, cucumbers, zucchini, summer squash, green beans, tomatoes, potatoes, and sweet corn. Leafy greens like kale and spinach, along with cabbage, beets, radishes, and herbs, are also widely available.

Shopping local and in season often means better flavor and better value. Produce is usually picked closer to peak ripeness, so fruits taste sweeter, vegetables stay crisp, and meals feel fresher. Because these foods are plentiful during the season, prices are often lower too.

Buying local fruits and vegetables at farmers markets, roadside stands, and grocery stores can help families enjoy more variety while stretching food budgets and supporting North Carolina farmers.

Fresh, frozen, canned, and dried produce can all help make healthy meals easier throughout the summer.