Seasonal Eating: August

We’re ushering in a new month and the countdown to squeezing every last drop out of summer is on! In addition to long hours spent in the soft sand, playful waves, and sun at the beach, for us, that means indulging in local seasonal foods. If you're also looking to enjoy fresh, local fruits and vegetables in the Hamptons during August, you’re in luck—this is prime season out East!

Note that this guide is also applicable to the Pacific Northwest (Oregon, Washington – esp. Willamette Valley & Puget Sound), the Northeast/New England (Connecticut, Rhode Island, coastal Massachusetts), the Mid-Atlantic (Eastern Pennsylvania, Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Delaware), Northern California Coastal Areas (e.g., Sonoma County, Marin, Monterey), Great Lakes Region (Michigan, especially Western + Upper Peninsula), Northern Italy (Tuscany, Emilia-Romagna, Piedmont), Southwest France (Provence, Bordeaux, Languedoc), Southern UK (Kent, East Sussex, Hampshire), Coastal Japan (e.g., Kanagawa, Chiba, parts of Shikoku),

Here’s what you can expect at peak harvest in Suffolk County and other coastal areas of Long Island:

🌿 Vegetables in Season in August

• Tomatoes (including heirlooms, cherry, pear, grape): truly abundant and flavorful

• Sweet bell peppers (all colors) & hot peppers

• Eggplant and summer squash / zucchini

• Cucumbers and green beans

• Corn (sweet corn) hit peak in August

• Celery, carrots, beets

• Broccoli, chard, lettuce, peas, onions, leeks, some kale

• Cauliflower may begin its harvest late in August

• Winter squash and rutabagas may start appearing late in month

🍑 Fruits in Season in August

• Peaches, nectarines, plums, and other stone fruit

• Blueberries, blackberries, raspberries (berry picking runs from July into August)

• Melons and watermelon (cantaloupe, honeydew, etc.)

• Currants, figs (often late summer), and grapes begin in late August/early September

Pro Tips for Enjoying Seasonal Produce

• Head to a local farmstand or farmers market early in the week for the widest selection, especially for tomatoes and stone fruits.

• Try simple preparations like olive oil, salt, and fresh herbs—we prefer enjoying August produce raw with natural enhancements to appreciate the flavors fully

• Pick-your-own blueberries, raspberries, and peaches are widely open through early to mid-August at many Suffolk County farms