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Go Farm Fresh This Summer

One benefit of spring is getting to enjoy fresh-off-the-farm fruits and vegetables picked at their prime season for harvest. Buying locally grown produce means fewer days from field to dinner plate, which means more flavor and nutrition in your favorite recipes. That makes eating healthier a pleasure!

If you want to know what’s growing in Texas this summer, or any time of year, here are a couple of great resources to bookmark in your web browser:

  • The Texas Seasonality Wheel is an interactive tool on the Texas Department of Agriculture website that makes it easy to check what’s in season.
  • Check out the Texas Produce Calendar showing the best months to eat, can, or freeze your fill of Texas-grown goodness.

Did you know that Texas has about 248,809 farms and 205 farmers markets (National Agricultural Statistics, USDA)? So whether you’re staying close to home or traveling around the state this summer, you’re never far from finding your fresh pick of the crop. Here are some places to check out this summer.

Summer harvest festivals

Events to celebrate the summer bounty with music, food, arts, crafts, and entertainment are fun for the whole family. Here are a few to put on your calendar. Be sure to check the websites for actual dates, times, directions, and event and ticket information:

Pick-your-own farms

Pick-your-own farms offer a great family experience. They also provide the freshest possible fruits and vegetables for you to can, freeze, and preserve for year-round enjoyment. It is recommended that you call ahead to confirm the location’s open days and hours, in-season crops available for picking, and other information for your visit including pricing, payment options, and what to wear and bring.

  • Larken Farms — Open April through August | What to pick: blackberries, peaches, pears, and vegetables. | Location: 3653 Greathouse Road, Waxahachie, Texas 75167 | 972-230-7038
  • Blueberry Hill Farms — Open late May through July | What to pick: blueberries and blackberries. | Location: 10268 FM 314, Edom, Texas 75756 | 903-852-6175
  • Hidden Honey Farm — Open Saturdays mid-March through mid-November | What to pick: melons, peaches, strawberries, and tomatoes. | Location: 7241 FM 1387, Midlothian, Texas | 214-770-9769
  • Henrietta Creek Orchard — Open late April through October | What to pick: peaches, cantaloupe, tomatoes, and vegetables | Location: 14255 Old Denton Road, Roanoke, Texas 76262 | 817-439-3202

Local farmers markets

Not into picking your own? No worries. There are plenty of great farmers markets to explore. If you’re on the road this summer, check out gotexan.org for a statewide list of certified farmers markets, wineries, and events and festivals.

If you’re hanging closer to home, here is a list of farmers markets in communities across the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Check websites, or call for days, times, and additional information.

  • Paul Quinn Market – 3837 Simpson Stuart Road, Dallas, TX 75241
  • White Rock Market – 9150 Garland Road, Dallas, TX 75218
  • Mansfield Farmers Market — 703 E. Broad St. (at the corner of Walnut Creek Drive), Mansfield, TX 76063
  • Grand Prairie Farmers Market – 120 W. Main St., Grand Prairie, TX 75050 | 972-237-4599
  • Cotton’s Produce Market — 4200 Broadway Blvd., Garland, TX 75043 | 972-240-8810
  • Campbell Farmers Market — NTX Event Center
  • East Dallas — Casa Linda Plaza
  • Carrollton — First Baptist Church Hebron, Trinity Valley Shopping Center
  • Flower Mound — Parker Square
  • Irving — Art Center, Heritage Crossing Shopping Center
  • Highland Village — Highland Village Town Center

Well, hope to see you around the markets this summer! If you’re wondering what to do with all the fresh goodness you’ll find, search our blog for some great recipe ideas.