Resources for Shoppers & Eaters

Use this guide to what’s in season in the Mid-Atlantic region as a blueprint to inform your farmers market shopping and meal planning. This guide includes what you will find all year, in the Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter, plus monthly lists.

Growing, harvesting, processing, distributing, consuming, and recovering are interconnected in a strong regional food system. All these elements work together to protect natural resources, fuel the local economy, and support the health and well-being of all community members, from growers to eaters, in a defined geographic area. FRESHFARM’s work influences all aspects of our regional food system to advance sustainable agriculture, equitable food distribution, healthy consumption, and robust recovery to avoid food waste. Explore our work to create a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable Mid-Atlantic food system that works for everyone.

Purchasing food shouldn’t be complicated, but with so many different certifications, evolving agricultural terminology, and marketing jargon, it can be easy to get confused. This Words To Eat By glossary will help you understand many commonly used terms at farmers markets and beyond.

Explore different types of produce and herbs in FRESHFARM’s Produce 101 directory. Search and sort produce by type and season to learn about each item’s appearance, how to store it, and how to prep it. For many items, we have short, easy-to-follow how-to videos and easy recipes.

SNAP provides food benefits to low-income families to supplement their grocery budget so they can afford the nutritious food essential to health and well-being. Explore these resources for detailed information about how the program works and what foods are eligible. You can also download and save a handy guide on SNAP-eligible foods and how to spend both SNAP and FreshMatch coupons.