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Strawberry Season In Alabama Is Summer — Good news, Alabama: Strawberries are in season! (Jacob Blankenship / The Bama Buzz)

Springtime and the start of summer in Alabama can mean a lot of things. The weather is warmer (as we know all too well), the sun sets later and Cahaba lilies bloom.

My favorite part of this season? The fresh produce.

Whether you’re a gardening expert, a novice or prefer to buy it all from local farmers… we’re here to help.

Healthier People Are Happier People - Bluecross Blueshield Of Alabama

Benefits of eating fresh produce + whole foods

Red Bird Produce In Birmingham — Shop local and eat fresh produce this summer. (Nathan Watson / The Bama Buzz)

Sweet Grown Alabama, our state’s agricultural branding program, runs with one mission in mind: Connecting you to healthy, locally-grown products.

Supported by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama (BCBSAL), this online resource has so many tips for shopping local and eating better with fresh produce.

Here are some benefits of filling your diet with fresh produce from grown locally:

Alabama farmers grow their produce using safe agricultural practices.
Buying local helps cut down on transportation emissions.
Fresh products retain nutrients more effectively.

I don’t know about you, but I like to know where my food comes from. Picking up sourdough bread from a local bakery or veggies from the farmers’ market makes me feel better, because I know I’m supporting local and I’m putting good food into my body.

What produce is in season right now in Alabama?

Find Fresh Produce At The Market At Pepper Place In Birmingham — Find beets, radishes and more yummy produce to fill your diet. (The Bama Buzz)

Speaking of putting good food into our bodies, here is what is in season right now, according to Sweet Grown Alabama:

Blueberries
Strawberries
Beets
Cabbages
Cauliflower

Collard greens
Lettuces
Radishes
Sweet potatoes
Turnip greens

Something to look forward to: Summer is peak time for lots of tasty fruits and veggies in Alabama, like:

Bell peppers
Butterbeans
Cantaloupe
Corn
Cucumbers
Figs
Lima beans

Okra
Peaches
Potatoes
Summer squash
Sweet onions
Tomatoes
Watermelon

Find fresh produce and support local! Check out 23 farmers’ markets across Alabama.

Making good food with fresh produce in Alabama

Chews Wisely Salmon — Try your hand at cooking with Alabama-grown turnip greens. (Sarah Morgan Freeman / The Bama Buzz)

I know I can grow my own veggies, but I prefer to leave it up to the professionals. Plus, buying local produce gives me an excuse to stroll around the farmers’ market every weekend.

I am, however, a big fan of cooking.

CHEWS Wisely Alabama is a great resource for tasty recipes using healthier ingredients. The website is full of healthy spins on delicious Southern classics.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Which fresh produce are you digging into this spring and summer in Alabama? Find more ways to keep a healthy lifestyle with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama.

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