What's fresh in...
JULY | AUGUST | SEPTEMBER
Apples
Shopping tip: This symbol of fall first arrives in the summer.
When to buy: Late August through September
Recommended vendor and location: Red Jacket Orchards: Mon Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway), plus others
Beets
Shopping tip: Look for pink, yellow and white varieties.
When to buy: July through September
Recommended vendor and location: Yuno’s Farm: Mon, Fri Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway); Wed Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza (E 47th St at Second Ave); Sat Abingdon Square (W 12 St at Hudson St), Tucker Square (W 66th St at Columbus Ave)
Berries: black-, rasp-, blue-, currants
Shopping tip: To a botanist, only the currants are true berries.
When to buy: July through mid-September
Recommended vendor and location: Fantasy Fruit Farm: Mon, Wed, Sat Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway); Sun Tompkins Square (E 7th St at Ave A)
Broccoli, cauliflower
Shopping tip: We eat the flower heads of these “cabbages.”
When to buy: Early July and Late September
Recommended vendor and location: Maxwell’s Farm: Mon Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway); Wed Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza (E 47th St at Second Ave); Sat Grand Army Plaza (northwest entrance of Prospect Park, Brooklyn)
Carrots
Shopping tip: These root veggies can be surprisingly sweet.
When to buy: July through September
Recommended vendor and location: Paffenroth Gardens: Wed, Sat Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway)
Corn
Shopping tip: Select ears with full, sticky silks.
When to buy: August through September
Recommended vendor and location: Paffenroth Gardens: Wed, Sat Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway)
Cucumbers
Shopping tip: Middle Eastern cukes have fewer seeds.
When to buy: July through September
Recommended vendor and location: Norwich Meadows Farm: Mon, Fri, Sat Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway); Sun Tompkins Square (E 7th St at Ave A)
Eggplant
Shopping tip: Smokers: This plant contains nicotine.
When to buy: Mid-July through September
Recommended vendor and location: Stokes Farm: Wed, Fri Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway); Thu Tucker Square (W 66th St at Columbus Ave); Sat Tribeca (Greenwich St at Duane St), Tucker Square (W 66th St at Columbus Ave), Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway)
Fennel
Shopping tip: Use the delicate fronds as an herb.
When to buy: July through September
Recommended vendor and location: Migliorelli Farm: Wed, Fri, Sat Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway); Sun Stuyvesant Town (14th St at Ave A)
Grapes
Shopping tip: The arrival of these clusters heralds the fall.
When to buy: September
Recommended vendor and location: Buzzard Crest Vineyards: Sat Grand Army Plaza (northwest entrance of Prospect Park, Brooklyn), Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway)
Leafy greens
Shopping tip: High in fiber and essential vitamins.
When to buy: July through September
Recommended vendor and location: S&SO Produce Farms: Wed Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza (E 47th St at Second Ave), Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway); Sat McCarren Park (Lorimer St at Driggs St, Greenpoint, Brooklyn), Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway)
Leeks
Shopping tip: Rinse soil from between the stalk’s layers.
When to buy: August through September
Recommended vendor and location: Paffenroth Gardens: Wed, Sat Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway)
Melons
Shopping tip: Look for stems that made a clean break.
When to buy: Late July through early September
Recommended vendor and location: Maxwell’s Farm: Mon Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway); Wed Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza (E 47th St at Second Ave); Sat Grand Army Plaza (northwest entrance of Prospect Park, Brooklyn)
Okra
Shopping tip: These seedpods are great fried or stewed.
When to buy: August through September
Recommended vendor and location: Cherry Lane Farm: Wed, Sat Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway)
Peaches, nectarines
Shopping tip: Ignore the blush: Look for a golden base color.
When to buy: Mid-July through mid-September
Recommended vendor and location: Samascott Orchards: Wed Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza (E 47th St at Second Ave); Thu, Sun Columbia (Broadway at 115th St); Fri Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway); Sat Inwood (Isham St at Seaman St)
Peppers
Shopping tip: Green ones are unripe versions of other colors.
When to buy: Mid-July through September
Recommended vendor and location: Oak Grove Plantation: Wed, Fri, Sat Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway)
Plums
Shopping tip: Press gently to check for ripeness.
When to buy: Late July through September
Recommended vendor and location: Red Jacket Orchards: Mon, Wed, Fri Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway); plus others
Strawberries
Shopping tip: The Tri-Star variety almost never disappoints.
When to buy: July through September
Recommended vendor and location: Berried Treasures: Wed, Fri Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway); Sun 77th St (W 77th St at Columbus Ave)
String beans
Shopping tip: They’re the unripe fruits of the bean plant.
When to buy: July through September
Recommended vendor and location: Kernan Farms: Wed Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway); Fri 97th St (W 97th St at Columbus Ave); Sat Abingdon Square (W 12 St at Hudson St), Grand Army Plaza (northwest entrance of Prospect Park, Brooklyn); Sun 77th St (W 77th St at Columbus Ave)
Summer garlic
Shopping tip: Hard-neck garlic has the best flavor.
When to buy: July through September
Recommended vendor and location: Keith’s Farm: Wed, Sat Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway)
Summer squash, zucchini
Shopping tip: Wash to remove sand from the delicate skin.
When to buy: July through September
Recommended vendor and location: Evolutionary Organics: Wed Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway); Sat Grand Army Plaza (northwest entrance of Prospect Park, Brooklyn)
Tomatoes
Shopping tip: Cook the meaty ones; eat the juicy ones raw.
When to buy: July through September
Recommended vendor and location: Eckerton Hill Farm: Mon, Wed, Sat Union Square (E 17th St at Broadway)