Savor the Last of Summer, Welcome the First Tastes of Fall
The turn of the calendar to September means we’re standing at that delicious crossroads between summer and fall. Farmers’ markets and local farm stands are overflowing with variety right now — a chance to grab the last sun-ripened fruits of August while celebrating the first crisp harvests of autumn.
Get It While It Lasts — Lingering Favorites Still Available
These summer staples are still around for a short while, but they won’t last long:
- Tomatoes — Heirlooms and slicers are at their juicy peak
- Peaches — Sweet and fragrant, perfect for pies or snacking
- Plums & nectarines — Late-season stone fruit with bold flavor
- Melons — Cantaloupe, honeydew, and watermelon are still refreshing
- Sweet corn — Summer’s most nostalgic taste, best eaten fresh off the cob
- Green beans, eggplant, peppers, cucumbers, zucchini — The garden classics that define summer cooking
- Blueberries, raspberries, blackberries — The last of the late-summer berries
- Early apples — Ginger Gold, Paula Red, and other crisp early varieties
If you love the flavors of summer, now is the time to enjoy them before they fade from the farmstands.
Fresh This Month — September Harvest
September ushers in the cozy flavors of fall. Here’s what to look for:
- Apples — Main harvest begins, with dozens of local varieties
- Pears, plums, grapes — Sweet, juicy fruits perfect for lunchboxes or cheese boards
- Fall raspberries — A second wave of ruby red berries
- Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant — Still abundant through early fall
- Winter squash — Acorn, delicata, kabocha, and spaghetti squash appear
- Pumpkins — Starting mid-to-late September, a seasonal favorite
- Kale, chard, collards, arugula, lettuce — Fresh fall greens thrive in cooler nights
- Carrots, beets, potatoes, onions, garlic — Root vegetables and storage crops begin filling the market tables
Why Shop Local This Season?
- Taste at its peak: Produce harvested at the right time is simply better.
- Support nearby farms: Every purchase strengthens local agriculture.
- Seasonal variety: Eating with the seasons keeps meals exciting and connected to the land.
The Best of Both Worlds
September is one of the most abundant times of year in the Northeast. For a few precious weeks, you can enjoy a peach tart one night and roasted squash soup the next. Don’t miss this fleeting overlap — it’s the moment when summer sweetness meets autumn comfort.
