When you buy local fruits and veggies, you’ll enjoy some of the best flavours the season has to offer. When possible, Sobeys carries local produce – any produce grown within your province is considered to be local. In-season produce is picked at the height of its freshness and is often more abundant, so you may see a drop in prices that will help you stretch your budget further (especially if you freeze and preserve to save foods for the rest of the year). Another plus? Supporting Canadian growers feels pretty good too!
This handy chart will help you predict when your favourite homegrown items will reach their peak. Use it to plan your menus and grocery lists.
Note: The following seasonal produce guide is based on an average taken from growers all across the Atlantic provinces. Adjust dates earlier or later depending on the climate and conditions in your particular area. Scroll down for links to local seasonal produce guides for your region.
Click to download a copy of this guide
The Six Seasons
Spring: In the Atlantic provinces, we see the first fresh produce of the year in late April or early May – like tart rhubarb and fiddleheads.
Early Summer: Fresh produce becomes more abundant from May to June. The first early berries make an appearance, with strawberries dominating the fruit stands, and a wide variety of leafy greens is available. This is also the peak time for sweet summer peas.
Summer: Sunny July and August are the prime months in the Atlantic provinces for fresh produce. Fruits such as cantaloupe, blueberries and strawberries ripen to perfection. Grocery aisles across the provinces are piled high with colourful, ripe field-grown cucumbers and peppers.
Early Fall: September, with its warm days and cooler nights, is a great month for fruits such as apples and pears. Hearty squashes and pumpkins are also available in abundance now. This is definitely pie-making season!
Fall: This is your last chance to get many of the summer-peaking vegetables, such as tomatoes, celery and zucchini, in season. Root vegetables like carrots and beets sweeten up with a touch of frost, and fresh cranberries appear in time for Thanksgiving.
Winter: The colder months are the best time to take advantage of fruits and vegetables that store well, such as apples, cabbage, carrots and potatoes – all ingredients that shine in soups and stews.
More Seasonal Produce Guides
For more info on seasonal produce (and local farms) in your specific region, visit one of these websites:
| Region | Seasonal Produce Guides |
|---|---|
| New Brunswick | New Brunswick crops |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | Newfoundland and Labrador Farm Guide |
| Nova Scotia | Select Nova Scotia: Seasonal availability |
| P.E.I. | P.E.I. Flavours |
http://www.ontario.ca/foodland/page/availability-guide
