As we approach the official start of summer, our fields are bursting with fresh, locally grown produce. Mid-June is one of the most exciting times on the farm as the spring harvest reaches its peak and the first tastes of summer begin to arrive. Every day, our harvest crews head into the fields to pick vegetables and herbs at their peak of freshness, bringing the very best of the season directly to our farm market, outdoor pavilion, farmers’ markets, CSA shares, and your table.
Right now, you’ll find an incredible variety of freshly harvested crops including strawberries, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kohlrabi, garlic scapes, beets, radishes, spinach, Swiss chard, collards, green kale, purple kale, Tuscan kale, shelling peas, snap peas, snow peas, arugula, cilantro, oregano, mint, lemon balm, and a beautiful assortment of lettuces including romaine, iceberg, red leaf, green leaf, Boston lettuce, escarole, and curly endive.
The abundance of fresh produce available this time of year creates endless opportunities for preparing healthy, flavorful meals. Whether you’re tossing together a crisp salad, grilling seasonal vegetables, adding fresh herbs to your favorite recipes, or creating a simple farm-to-table dinner, eating with the seasons allows you to enjoy fruits and vegetables when they are at their peak flavor, nutrition, and freshness.
Hometown Farm & Global Roots
As the United States welcomes the world for the 2026 FIFA World Cup™, we’re celebrating the global connections that food creates through our FIFA World Cup™ Hometown Farm & Global Roots Recipe Inspirations series. Throughout the season, we’ll be pairing farm-fresh ingredients grown right here in New Jersey with flavors and culinary traditions inspired by participating nations from around the world.
Our latest featured recipe showcases fresh broccoli harvested from our fields and highlights how local ingredients can connect us to global food traditions. Inspired by the bright citrus and chile flavors enjoyed in Mexico, the sweet-and-spicy balance common in South Korea, the fresh vegetable-focused preparations of Japan, and the vibrant herb and spice traditions of Morocco and Colombia, the recipe reflects the shared culinary themes that unite cultures around the world: fresh ingredients, bold flavors, and meals meant to bring people together. Explore the featured recipe for Hot and Spicy Broccoli.
Be sure to visit our recipe collection throughout the year as we continue exploring global flavors through the lens of seasonal New Jersey agriculture.
Why Eating Local Matters
Choosing locally grown food offers benefits that extend far beyond your plate. Produce harvested close to home doesn’t have to travel thousands of miles before reaching consumers. This means fewer transportation emissions, less packaging, and fresher food that retains more flavor and nutrients. In many cases, vegetables harvested in the morning can be enjoyed at your dinner table that same day.
Supporting local farms also helps strengthen the communities where we live. Every dollar spent at a local farm, farm market, or farmers market helps support local jobs, preserves farmland, and contributes to the regional economy. It helps ensure that working farms remain part of our landscape for future generations.
One of the unique benefits of buying directly from a local farm is the connection it creates between consumers and the people who grow their food. You can visit the farm, see how crops are grown, learn about seasonal farming practices, ask questions, and gain a greater understanding of where your food comes from. That transparency builds trust and fosters a deeper appreciation for the hard work that goes into producing fresh, nutritious food.
There’s never been a better time to visit our outdoor pavilion, stop by one of our farmers market locations, or spend a day on the farm. The fields are full, the harvest is abundant, and summer’s bounty is just beginning.
We invite you to shop local, eat seasonally, and experience the difference that fresh-from-the-farm produce can make. Your taste buds (and your local farming community) will thank you.
