For the best in fresh, local produce, June is the start of something big. Hit any local farmers market for an outstanding opportunity to try fresh-from-the-field goods. Even more importantly, you can get to know the people who grow your food, learn about their practices and support their hard work.

June begins the primary harvest season for South Carolina’s fruit and veggie staples. Chris Sermons, owner of Bio-Way Farm in Ware Shoals, will once again bring tasty food to the Saturday Market in downtown Greenville. Sermons’ 120-acre farm is certified organic and he focuses on sustainable agriculture.

June finds Sermons bringing a full slate of late spring crops to market. Look for greens, lettuces, cabbages, carrots, beets, turnips, radishes and peas. The season will quickly overlap with early summer varieties, including summer squashes, cucumbers and salad tomatoes.

“There’s a lot of good reasons for supporting local farmers and food systems,” Sermons says. “One of the intangible ones is the stories – not only about their farm and why they farm, but aspects of the local food system that have been gained over the years by the farmers themselves. And it kind of gives you that sense of place in this modern world.”

Sermons says customers drive what comes to farmers markets. A demand for locally grown fruits and vegetables changed the Saturday Market to one that ensures that policy.

“The city started making a point to find farmers who can produce their own,” he says.

To that end, keep an eye out for the best of what’s at peak season. June is still a bit early for slicer tomatoes, peppers and eggplant (hold on – July is coming), but you might find a few early peaches. You can also look for the start of blueberry and blackberry season, sampling the wares of The Happy Berry and others.

If you’re looking to brighten more than just your plate, look for fresh, local flowers, like those from Earthblooms. Kelly Singer says her June flower offerings depend on the whims of Mother Nature but will likely include beautiful cut flowers such as zinnias and gladiolus. Singer says there are about 20 members of the Upstate Flower Farmers who can offer fresh blooms to customers looking to reduce their carbon footprint. Singer came into flower growing somewhat haphazardly about 12 years ago.

“I threw out a patch of miscellaneous flowers and we started taking them to the market,” she says. “People just lit up. It was contagious to be around. It feels good.”

That farmers market feeling is about more than peak produce and a morning stroll from booth to booth. Sermons says it has become a way to increase community connection.

“It’s a social event with us being able to see our friends and the people that attend and their friends and family,” he says.