Grown In Connecticut

Sour apples, peaches and plums are this week's newest arrivals in markets, according to Rick Macsuga of the Connecticut Department of Agriculture.  

Methley plums are the first variety harvested this season, and Macsuga said, "they're about the size of a ping pong ball and very, very sweet." Macsuga said some Lodi apples, which are sour, have been picked and they are commonly used in sauces.  

"It is what we consider a sour apple, it puts to shame those (sour apple) candies," he said. "If you like sour apples, this is the apple to eat." 

Macsuga also said that the heat has been very helpful for crops and that some farms are irrigating but Connecticut does not have drought conditions. 

"The heat is good for our peppers and watermelons and corn," he said. "Human-wise we don't enjoy this heat but crop-wise, it helps. While we're all sweltering, the farmers are dancing." 

Macsuga said that lettuce is winding down. 

What's fresh this week:

Blueberries

Methley plums

Yellow and white flesh peaches

Nectarines

Lodi apple

Green, wax beans

Tomatoes

Corn

Cucumbers

Squash

Raspberries

Kale

Swiss chard 

Where to find them:

The Ledyard Farmers’ Market is on Wednesdays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Ledyard Town Center at the Fair Grounds. www.ledyardfresh.com, WIC/Senior FMNP Accepted.

The Norwich Uncas Farmers’ Market is on Mondays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Uncas on the Thames, 401 West Thames Street, 100 Campbell Building. WIC/Senior FMNP Accepted, SNAP/EBT. 

The Norwich Downtown Farmers’ Market is on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the boat marina in Howard Brown Park on Route 2. WIC/Senior FMNP Accepted. 

The Preston Farmers’ Market is on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Preston Plains School on Route 164. WIC/Senior FMNP Accepted.