Why Buy Local in Michigan?

by Sarah Szul, Health Management Coordinator, Kapnick Insurance Group

By purchasing local foods in-season, you eliminate the environmental damage caused by shipping foods thousands of miles, your food dollar goes directly to the farmer, and your family will be able to enjoy the health benefits of eating fresh, unprocessed fruits and vegetables. Buying seasonal produce also provides an exciting opportunity to try new foods and to experiment with seasonal recipes. And it simply tastes better!

Select Michigan, a brand identification program to promote Michigan-grown food, can help people find food produced in the state. The Select Michigan logo can be found on Michigan food products sold at grocery stores, farmers markets and on individual farms. So next time you are at the market look for the Select Michigan logo shown in this post.

Full Year: Michigan Time of Year Fresh Produce

March (late) Broccoli, Cabbage, Greens

April (early) Asparagus, Broccoli, Cabbage, Greens, Herbs
April (late) Asparagus, Broccoli, Cabbage, Greens, Herbs

May (early) Asparagus, Greens, Herbs, Peas, Potatoes, Rhubarb
May (late) Asparagus, Greens, Herbs, Peas, Potatoes, Rhubarb, Strawberries

June (early) Asparagus, Beans, Blackberries, Greens, Herbs, Peaches, Peas, Potatoes, Rhubarb, Squash, Strawberries
June (late) Beans, Blackberries, Cherries , Greens, Herbs, Peaches*,
Potatoes, Rhubarb, Squash, Strawberries

July (early) Beans, Blackberries, Cantaloupes, Cherries , Cucumbers, Eggplant, Greens, Herbs, Nectarines, Peaches, Peppers, Potatoes, Raspberries, Squash, Strawberries
July (late) Beans, Beets, Blackberries, Blueberries, Cantaloupes, Cherries , Cucumbers, Eggplant, Greens, Herbs, Nectarines, Peaches, Peppers, Potatoes, Raspberries, Squash, Tomatoes

August (early) Apples, Asian Pears, Beans, Beets, Blueberries, Cabbage, Cantaloupes, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Greens, Herbs, Nectarines, Peaches, Peppers, Raspberries, Squash, Sweet Corn, Tomatoes, Watermelon
August (late) Apples, Asian Pears, Beans, Beets, Blueberries, Cabbage, Cantaloupes, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Greens, Herbs, Nectarines, Peaches, Peppers, Raspberries, Squash, Sweet Corn, Tomatoes, Watermelon

September (early) Apples, Asian Pears, Beans, Beets, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cantaloupes, Eggplant, Greens, Herbs, Peaches, Peppers, Plums, Pumpkins, Raspberries, Squash, Sweet Corn, Sweet Potatoes , Tomatoes, Watermelon
September (late) Apples, Asian Pears, Beans, Beets, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cantaloupes, Eggplant, Greens, Herbs, Peaches*, Peppers, Plums, Pumpkins, Raspberries, Squash, Sweet Corn, Sweet Potatoes , Tomatoes, Watermelon

October (early) Apples, Asian Pears, Beans, Broccoli, Cabbage, Greens, Herbs, Plums, Pumpkins, Squash, Sweet Potatoes , Tomatoes*, Watermelon
October (late) Apples, Asian Pears, Beans, Broccoli, Cabbage, Greens, Herbs, Plums, Pumpkins, Squash, Sweet Potatoes , Tomatoes*, Watermelon

November (early) Christmas Trees
November (late) Christmas Trees

December (early) Christmas Trees
December (late) Christmas Trees

Source(s):
http://www.pickyourown.org/MIharvestcalendar.htm