Late August and September are some of the best weeks of the year to visit a farmers market in the Springfield area. Summer produce is still plentiful, while early fall favorites begin making their appearance. For Orange Hunt families, it’s a great time to shop locally, try something new, and bring home fresh ingredients for everything from weeknight dinners to weekend gatherings.

Late-Summer Favorites

August farmers markets are filled with colorful fruits and vegetables at their peak. Keep an eye out for:

• Peaches & nectarines: Perfect for snacking, baking, or adding to a summer salad.
• Tomatoes: From juicy slicing tomatoes to cherry and heirloom varieties, this is prime tomato season.
• Corn: Sweet local corn makes an easy side dish for backyard barbecues and family dinners.
• Zucchini & summer squash: Great grilled, roasted, sautéed, or turned into zucchini bread.
• Bell peppers: Look for colorful varieties to add crunch and flavor to salads, fajitas, and pasta.
• Cucumbers: A refreshing choice for salads, sandwiches, and homemade pickles.
• Melons: Cantaloupe and other locally grown melons make an easy late-summer snack.
• Berries: Depending on the season and farm, you may still find late-summer berries.

September Brings a Taste of Fall

As September arrives, the farmers market starts to transition toward fall produce. Some of the seasonal finds to look for include:

• Apples: Crisp local apples are one of the first signs that fall is on the way.
• Pumpkins and winter squash: Keep an eye out as markets begin introducing pumpkins, butternut squash, acorn squash, and other varieties.
• Sweet potatoes: A versatile staple for roasting, soups, casseroles, and meal prep.
• Green beans: Delicious simply roasted with olive oil or incorporated into a fresh side dish.
• Leafy greens: Kale, lettuce, and other greens become great options as temperatures begin to cool.
• Carrots: Look for fresh, locally grown carrots to roast, snack on, or add to soups.
• Beets: A colorful addition to salads, grain bowls, and roasted vegetable dishes.

Shop Local, Eat Seasonal

One of the best things about farmers markets is that they give Orange Hunt neighbors an opportunity to connect with local growers while enjoying produce that reflects the season. Shopping locally can also be a fun weekend activity—especially when you turn it into a family outing.