Don’t click away. There is such a thing as a winter produce season in Ohio.
Granted, it pales in comparison to our generous peak harvest season, but it’s nothing to discount either.
First things first, winter farmers’ markets are a real thing in Ohio and you can visit one this season. It’s easy to think that shopping locally and eating seasonally with local food ends with the first frost, but that’s not true! It’s not difficult to create nutritional and healthy meals in the winter out of local food when you remember all the fall produce that is in storage, breads and pastas, eggs, cold hearty brassicas (we are talking to you cauliflower and Brussels sprouts) and greens that are grown under cover thanks to farmers who use season extension techniques.
And so, to help you make some seasonal eating choices we put together this seasonal produce guide for winter. Reminder, you may not find all of these items throughout the whole season, but don’t be afraid to ask your farmer about their specific products.
What Fruits & Vegetables are In Season During Winter?
Harvest & Stored Crops
Apples
Beets
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Cabbage
Carrots
Cauliflower
Collards
Herbs (Dried)
Kale
Leafy Greens
Mushrooms
Onions
Potatoes
Radishes
Rutabaga
Spinach
Squash (winter)
Sweet Potatoes
Turnips
Why Shop for Winter Seasonal Produce?
If you’re thinking you’ll just dash into a grocery store this winter and grab whatever looks good, take a moment to remember what shopping at a winter farmers’ market means. You will support farmers and the local food system during the slow season and help keep local businesses stable.
Plus, cooking at home with winter vegetables can be not only nutritious, but cozy and even nostalgic. If you need some inspiration, scroll through our recipe archive to find winter produce recipes.
Eating Seasonally Year Round
Curious about other seasonal, local produce options in northeast Ohio? Check out the entire “What’s in Season” series through the links below.
Seasonal Eating Chart
Download the full eating seasonally chart and hang it on your fridge or in your pantry to quickly see which fruits and vegetables are in season by month to help inspire your meal planning and farmers’ market shopping list.
*Note: The Eating Seasonally Chart may become inaccurate for some crops depending on the season’s weather conditions. Produce availability is dependent upon many factors. In extreme cases, it may cause a given crop to be unavailable all season. In minor cases, it may cause a crop to have a shorter season than normal.