Summer Produce Guide
Sunshine on your plate
The long, warm days of summer grow an abundance of exceptional flavor, vibrant color, and impressive nutritional benefits.
Our team created this guide to help you choose seasonal foods born from the healthy soil and thriving ecosystems that make every harvest possible.
Want to savor peak summer flavor? Explore our Regenerative Farm Map to find a grower near you and enjoy your produce from farm to table.
Bountiful Berries
Strawberries – Blackberries – Blueberries – Raspberries
Summer berries are rich in vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants.
Anthocyanins—the antioxidants that help berries survive summer sun and environmental stress—are the same compounds that give them their vibrant color and can be so beneficial for us.
Sun-Kissed Stone Fruits
Peaches – Apricots – Plums – Nectarines – Cherries
Stone fruits provide vitamins A and C, potassium, and both soluble and insoluble fiber, which support gut health.
Kaitlyn's Peachy Green Bruschetta
Serves: 4–6 as an appetizer. (Makes about 2 cups topping.)
For the topping:
- 2 medium-sized ripe peaches, peeled and diced
- 1 seedless cucumber, diced
- ¼ cup packed fresh basil, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon shallot, minced
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil (check out our Cooking Guide!)
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
For the dressing:
- 1 baguette (made with organic, regenerative or glyphosate-free grain), sliced into ½-inch rounds)
- ¾ cup ricotta
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon honey (check out our Baking Guide!)
- Additional basil for garnish (optional)
Directions:
- In a medium bowl, gently combine the peaches, cucumber, basil, and shallot.
- Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Toss gently to combine and let sit for 10–15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Meanwhile, toast the baguette slices until golden and crisp, then let cool.
- Spread each toasted baguette slice with ricotta.
- Spoon the peach mixture over the ricotta and drizzle lightly with balsamic vinegar and honey.
- Garnish with additional basil and serve immediately.
Marvelous Melons
Watermelon – Cantaloupe – Honeydew
With 90% or more of their content being water, melons help us stay hydrated during the warmest months. Look for regeneratively grown heirloom varieties for a truly flavorful experience!
Use our Regenerative Farm Map to find out exactly what produce farmers near you are growing!
Jackie's Regener-ade Watermelon Electrolyte Refresher
A nutritious, homemade version of your favorite bottled sports drink. (Makes about 4 cups.)
You’ll need:
- 4 cups seedless watermelon, cubed
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1–2 teaspoons honey or real maple syrup (optional) (check out our Baking Guide!)
- 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
- ½ cup cold water or coconut water
- Ice, for serving
Instructions:
- Add the watermelon, lemon juice, sweetener (if using), water or coconut water, and sea salt to a blender.
- Blend until completely smooth.
- For a smoother drink, strain through a fine-mesh sieve.
- Pour over ice and enjoy!
Warm weather tip:
After a workout or a day in the sun, chill the watermelon before blending for an extra-refreshing drink. Freeze leftover watermelon chunks to use as “ice cubes” that won’t water down your drink.
Summer Garden All-Stars
Cucumbers – Summer squash – Zucchini – Eggplant – Green beans – Okra
These colorful crops thrive in warm weather and provide a host of beneficial nutrients. Plus, they’re great for beginners looking to grow their own summer harvest.
For thousands of years, Indigenous farmers have planted corn, beans, and squash together—known as the “Three Sisters.” The corn provides a growing trellis, the beans enrich the soil, and the squash leaves spread out to suppress weeds and help retain vital soil moisture.
Starchy Staples
Heirloom corn – Beans (lima, green, yellow & purple) – Thin-skinned potatoes
Providing things like fiber, potassium, complex carbohydrates, and plant protein, these seasonal favorites help fuel our bodies while supporting diverse agricultural systems.
Looking to shop local? Discover farms near you with detailed profiles featuring farm size, regenerative practices, seasonal offerings, and more on our Regenerative Farm Map.
Night Shift
Tomatoes – Tomatillos – Bell peppers – Eggplant
Members of the nightshade family contain pigments and plant compounds that contribute to their vibrant colors and nutritional value.
Flavor Makers
Basil – Rosemary – Thyme – Oregano
Many herbs create aromatic compounds to protect themselves from insects and environmental stress. The same compounds that help the plant thrive are also responsible for the flavors, smells, and beneficial antioxidants we enjoy.
- Use our Regenerative Farm Map to find local farmers producing seasonal fruits and veggies!
- Look for Regenerative Certifications at the grocery store that support soil and human health.
- What’s in season can vary by region. Check out this seasonal food guide* and your local farmers market to see what grows near you, or better yet, grow your own!
- *The data in the Seasonal Food Guide comes from the Natural Resources Defense Council, state departments of agriculture, and university extension programs across the U.S.
This resource is brought to you by New Chapter, a proud Partner of Kiss the Ground.
Kiss the Ground helps you shop regeneratively—view our 20+ other guides, such as Meat, Refreshments, and Wellness.