Discover the key to healthy eating by understanding local produce and the corresponding seasons. 

Did you know that eating local produce could contribute to healthy eating? This is especially true in the Okanagan where local produce is abundant year round. Not only is local produce fresher than produce from different regions, you’ll also benefit from eating items that are in season and grown without the use of preservatives.

By shopping at a Kelowna food store that specializes in seasonal, local produce, you can get a jumpstart on your healthy lifestyle goals. To help you stick to fresh, seasonal produce that’s local to the Okanagan, we’ve compiled a list of fruit and vegetable availability by season.

Healthy Eating During the Spring

March – red cabbage, savoy cabbage, kale, kiwi, leeks

April – apples, asparagus, cucumber, kale, lettuce, radish, spinach, Swiss chard, tomatoes, white turnips

May – white turnips, tomatoes, Swiss chard, spinach, radish, green onion, lettuce, kale, cucumber, celery, asparagus, apples

Healthy Produce to Select in the Summer

June – zucchini, beans, beets, blueberries, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, celery, cherries, fennel, gooseberries, kale, green onion, lettuce, peas, potatoes, quince, rhubarb, Saskatoon berries, spinach, summer squash, strawberries, Swiss chard, tomatoes, white turnips

July – apricots, artichokes, beans, beets, broccoli, zucchini, tomatoes, Swiss chard, summer squash, spinach, Saskatoon berries, red cabbage, savoy cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, cherries, cucumber, currants, fennel, garlic, peaches, peppers, potatoes, prunes, raspberries, gooseberries, green onion, nectarines, lettuce, leek, kale

August – artichoke, apricots, broccoli, beets, beans, red cabbage, savoy cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, cherries, crab apples, celery, cucumber, fennel, kale leek, lettuce, garlic, nectarines, onion, parsnip, peaches, plums, peppers, potatoes, prunes, rutabaga, Saskatoon berries, shallots, summer squash, spinach, Swiss chard, tomatoes, white turnips, zucchini

Fabulous Fall Produce

September - apples, artichoke, beans, beets, Brussel sprouts, green cabbage, red cabbage, savoy cabbage, broccoli, cucumber, cranberries, corn, crab apples, fennel, grapes, kale, leek, lettuce, melons, onion, parsnip, peppers, plums, potatoes, prunes, pumpkin, rutabaga, spinach, summer squash, zucchini, white turnips, tomatoes, spinach

October – artichoke, apples, beets, broccoli, beans, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, crab apples, corn, cranberries, cucumber, fennel, grapes, kale, kiwi, lettuce, leeks, melons, onion, parsnip, pears, peppers, potatoes, prunes, pumpkins, rutabaga, spinach, summer squash, Saskatoon berries, tomatoes, turnips, zucchini

November – beets, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, leek, kiwi, onion, parsnip, pears, potatoes, pumpkin, rutabaga, spinach, Saskatoon berries, turnips

Winter Produce Picks

December – Brussel sprouts, beets, savoy cabbage, kale, kiwi, leek, parsnip, potatoes, rutabaga, Saskatoon berries, spinach, turnips

January – savoy cabbage, carrots, kale, kiwi, leek, parsnip

February – savoy cabbage, kale, leek, parsnip

Although it may seem that the cooler months produce less fresh produce, consider making hearty stews and creative coleslaws with in-season vegetables. You can also can or freeze fresh produce during the summer months to dip into during the colder months.

For tips and tricks on selecting fresh, seasonal produce, check out our previous blog post: How to Select the Freshest Fruits and Vegetables.

If you’re looking for ways to incorporate healthy eating into your lifestyle, come and visit Mike’s Produce. We handpick the freshest produce supplied by local growers and farmers to make sure you get some of the best vegetables and fruits available in the Okanagan. Come see us today!