We used to buy all fresh fruits and vegetables, but over the last year, food prices have skyrocketed. Suddenly, you can’t get nearly as much for your money, so we’ve had to make some changes. We’ve switched to more budget-friendly frozen vegetables—not ideal, but they get the job done. The flavor and texture just don’t compare to fresh, but hey, we’ll survive.

That being said, we still make it a point to buy in-season fruits and veggies. We just have to be more selective about what we pick. Shopping seasonally not only helps stretch our budget, but it also means we’re getting produce at its peak—better flavor, better quality, and usually a better price.

I’m not sure if it’s like this everywhere, but where we live, we have a farmers’ market, plenty of local farms, and roadside stands scattered throughout town selling fresh produce. Since it’s grown locally, it’s as fresh as it gets—and that’s always the best choice when possible. Buying locally grown produce also means supporting small farms in the community, reducing the environmental impact of food transportation, and often getting organic options that haven’t been treated with harsh chemicals. Many small farms use organic or pesticide-free growing methods, even if they aren’t officially certified, so it’s always worth asking vendors about their practices.

Finding Locally Grown Produce at Grocery Stores

If you don’t have access to a farmers’ market or local farm stands, you can still find locally grown fruits and vegetables at many grocery stores. Here’s how to spot them:

• Look for “Locally Grown” Signs – Many stores label produce from nearby farms with tags that say “local” or list the farm’s name and location.
• Check the Produce Stickers or Labels – The country or state of origin is often listed on the small stickers attached to fruits and vegetables. If it says your state or a neighboring one, it’s likely local.
• Shop at Stores That Prioritize Local Produce – Some grocery chains work directly with local farms to source fresh, seasonal produce. Stores like Whole Foods, Sprouts, and food co-ops often carry locally sourced options.
• Ask the Produce Manager – Grocery store staff can often tell you where their produce comes from and if they have any local options in stock.
• Visit the “Organic” or “Farm-Fresh” Section – While not always local, organic sections sometimes have farm partnerships with nearby growers.

By choosing locally grown produce, even at the grocery store, you’re still getting fresher, higher-quality food while supporting local agriculture.

Spring Fruits in Season

Spring is when we finally start to see more fresh, juicy fruits after a winter of mostly citrus and apples. Here are a few to keep an eye out for:

🍓 Strawberries – Sweet, vibrant, and perfect for snacking, adding to yogurt, or making into jam. They start appearing in early spring and hit their peak as the weather warms up.

🍒 Cherries – If you’ve ever had fresh, in-season cherries, you know they’re nothing like the ones you get in the off-season. Tart or sweet, they make a great snack or addition to desserts.

🍑 Apricots – These little golden fruits are a mix between a peach and a plum, with a slightly tart flavor that works well in both sweet and savory dishes.

🍍 Pineapple – While available year-round, pineapple is at its best in the spring, tasting extra sweet and juicy.

🌿 Rhubarb – Not exactly a fruit, but often treated like one in baking. Rhubarb pairs beautifully with strawberries for pies, crisps, or homemade jam.

🥭 Mango (in some regions) – If you live somewhere warm, spring is peak mango season, bringing the creamiest, most flavorful mangoes of the year.

Spring Vegetables in Season

Spring vegetables bring crisp textures and bright flavors, making them perfect for light, fresh meals. Some of my favorites include:

🥦 Asparagus – One of the first signs of spring! Roast it, grill it, or toss it into pasta for an easy meal.

🌱 Peas (sugar snap, snow, and garden peas) – Fresh peas are a game-changer. They add a touch of sweetness to salads, stir-fries, or even simple buttered peas on the side.

🥕 Carrots – Sure, you can buy carrots year-round, but in spring, they’re extra sweet and tender. Try them roasted with honey or raw with hummus.

🌿 Leafy Greens (Spinach, Arugula, Swiss Chard, etc.) – Spring greens are fresh and full of flavor, perfect for salads, wraps, or quick sautés.

🌰 Artichokes – If you’ve never cooked with fresh artichokes, they take some effort but are worth it. Steam them, dip in butter, and enjoy!

🌶 Radishes – Crunchy and slightly spicy, radishes add color and bite to salads, tacos, or even roasted as a side dish.

🧅 Green Onions – A budget-friendly staple, green onions add a fresh kick to everything from scrambled eggs to stir-fries.

How to Use Spring Produce

Shopping for in-season produce is one thing—figuring out how to use it is another. Some easy ways to enjoy spring’s best fruits and veggies include:

🥗 Fresh Spring Salads – Mix leafy greens, strawberries, goat cheese, and a balsamic glaze for an easy, flavorful salad.

🍲 Simple Sautéed Vegetables – Quickly cook asparagus, peas, or greens with garlic and olive oil for a side dish that goes with anything.

🍓 Fruit-Forward Breakfasts – Add fresh berries to yogurt, oatmeal, or pancakes for a springtime twist.

🥘 Roasted or Grilled Veggies – Roasting carrots, radishes, or asparagus brings out their natural sweetness and makes for an easy, delicious side.

A Super Simple Sheet Pan Recipe

One of my favorite easy meals is a sheet pan turkey sausage and roasted veggies—perfect for using fresh, in-season produce without any fuss. Plus, it’s easy to adapt by mixing in a few out-of-season ingredients if you have them on hand!

🔥 How to Make It:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. Spray a baking sheet with olive oil.
3. Chop up your favorite spring vegetables—like asparagus, carrots, or bell peppers. You can also toss in some out-of-season veggies like sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, or winter squash if you’ve got them in your pantry or fridge.
4. Spread them on the baking sheet and season with salt, pepper, garlic, onion, and herbs (or whatever you like!).
5. Roast the veggies first, then add sliced turkey sausage near the end to keep it from drying out.
6. Bake until the veggies are tender and slightly caramelized.

What makes this meal so simple is that there’s nothing to measure—just sprinkle in a little of this, a little of that, and cook until it looks and tastes good. It’s quick, delicious, and packed with fresh seasonal flavor—and you can easily stretch it with some out-of-season produce too!

Final Thoughts

Eating fresh doesn’t always mean spending a fortune—it’s about choosing wisely. Spring brings some of the best flavors of the year, and even if you’re balancing fresh and frozen like I am, picking a few in-season fruits and veggies can make a big difference. Whether it’s a handful of sweet strawberries, a bunch of crisp asparagus, or some leafy greens for salads, spring produce is worth savoring while it lasts.

Do you have any favorite springtime fruits or veggies? Let me know in the comments!