WIC: Local Fruits, Vegetables, and Herbs

The Farmers Market Nutrition Program gives you access to local food. Foods are “local” if they grow in or near Wisconsin. Local foods can have more nutrients. They also don’t have to travel as far to get to you.

A lot of food at farmers markets is local. Foods that aren’t local may have a label. You also can ask the farmer if the food is local.

Sign up for the Farmers Market Nutrition Program

Farmers market shopping tips

Here are some tips when you buy local foods:

  • Let your child choose a fruit or vegetable.
  • Look for more fruits and vegetables after July 15.
  • Shop all through the farmers market season. You’ll find new foods each month.
  • Shop in the morning for more choices.

Local foods by season

Foods you can buy at a farmers market depend on what the farmer can grow. Weather and where you live play a role. Some foods grow more during certain times of the year.

See which fruits and vegetables grow in Wisconsin.

Spring foods (June)

Look for these foods in spring:

  • Asparagus
  • Garlic
  • Green onions
  • Herbs
  • Kale
  • Leeks
  • Lettuce
  • Mushrooms
  • Parsnips
  • Peas
  • Radishes
  • Rhubarb
  • Snow peas
  • Spinach
  • Sprouts
  • Sugar snap peas
  • Swiss chard

Early summer foods (June–July)

Look for these foods in early summer:

  • Beans
  • Beets
  • Blackberries
  • Blueberries
  • Bok choy
  • Broccoli
  • Cabbage
  • Cauliflower
  • Cherries
  • Chinese cherries
  • Cucumbers
  • Currants
  • Gooseberries
  • Green onions
  • Greens
  • Herbs
  • Huckleberries
  • Kohlrabi
  • Lettuce
  • Mulberries
  • Mushrooms
  • New potatoes
  • Peas
  • Peppers
  • Raspberries
  • Shallots
  • Shell peas
  • Snow peas
  • Sprouts
  • Strawberries
  • Sugar snap peas
  • Summer squash
  • Sweet corn
  • Swiss chard
  • Tomatoes
  • Watercress
  • Zucchini

Late summer foods (August–September)

Look for these foods in late summer:

  • Apples
  • Beans
  • Beets
  • Bitter melon
  • Blackberries
  • Broccoli
  • Cabbage
  • Carrots
  • Cauliflower
  • Celery
  • Cucumbers
  • Eggplant
  • Elderberries
  • Fennel
  • Garlic
  • Ground cherries
  • Herbs
  • Huckleberries
  • Kale
  • Leeks
  • Lettuce
  • Muskmelon (cantaloupe)
  • Okra
  • Onions
  • Pears
  • Peppers
  • Plums
  • Potatoes
  • Raspberries
  • Rutabagas
  • Spinach
  • Sprouts
  • Summer squash
  • Sweet corn
  • Tomatillos
  • Tomatoes
  • Watermelon
  • Winter melon
  • Zucchini

Fall foods (September–October)

Look for these foods in the fall:

  • Apples
  • Beets
  • Bok choy
  • Broccoli
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Burdock root
  • Cabbage
  • Carrots
  • Cauliflower
  • Celeriac
  • Chinese cabbage
  • Cranberries
  • Fennel
  • Garlic
  • Grapes
  • Greens
  • Herbs
  • Kale
  • Kohlrabi
  • Leeks
  • Lettuce
  • Onions
  • Parsnips
  • Pears
  • Potatoes
  • Pumpkins
  • Radishes
  • Rutabagas
  • Scallions
  • Spinach
  • Sprouts
  • Sunchokes
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Swiss chard
  • Tomatillos
  • Turnips
  • Winter squash
  • Yams

Glossary

 
Last revised November 25, 2024