A Local Secret for Finding the Best Seasonal Produce
Quick Tip
Always visit the local market early in the morning for the widest selection of seasonal goods.
If you’ve ever walked through the local markets in the Montérégie region and realized the strawberries you bought yesterday taste nothing like the ones from a year ago, you're not alone. Most people default to the big grocery chains, but you're missing out on the real flavor of our region. This tip focuses on how to bypass the supermarket aisles to find the peak-season produce right here in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu.
Where can I find fresh seasonal produce in Saint-Jean?
You can find the best seasonal produce by visiting local farm stands and the MAPAQ (Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation) certified producers throughout the Montérégie area.
Instead of hunting through frozen or imported sections, look for the small-scale producers along the roads leading out of town. During the summer, the roadside stands near the Richelieu River are unbeatable. You'll find much better heirloom tomatoes and corn than anything sitting in a plastic tub at the local supermarket. It's a massive difference in quality (and honestly, the taste is night and day).
Here is a quick breakdown of what to look for throughout the year:
- Early Summer: Strawberries and green peas from local farms.
- Mid-Summer: Sweet corn, cucumbers, and snap peas.
- Late Summer/Fall: Pumpkins, squash, and apples from local orchards.
- Winter: Root vegetables like carrots and potatoes (look for local Quebec labels).
How do I know if produce is truly local?
Look for the "Produit du Québec" certification or specific farm names on the signage to ensure it's actually from our neck of the woods.
A lot of people assume "fresh" means it's good, but it's often just a marketing term. To get the real stuff, you want to check for the specific harvest window. For example, when the local stands start stocking Quebec agricultural products like local honey or maple syrup, you know the season is shifting. If you see a sign for a specific farm name—not just a generic "vegetable" sign—you're in the right place.
If you enjoy the ritual of wandering through local spots, you might also enjoy finding hidden coffee gems and quiet bakeries in Saint-Jean to pair with your fresh morning finds. It's part of that slow, local lifestyle that makes living here so much better.
What is the best time to shop for produce?
The best time to shop is early in the morning, ideally right when the farm stands open or on Saturday mornings at the local markets.
The good stuff—especially the highly sought-after items like certain berry varieties—tends to sell out fast. If you wait until 4:00 PM on a Saturday, you'll likely be left with the bruised leftovers or nothing at all. I usually try to hit the stands before 10:00 AM. It's a small effort, but it ensures you get the highest quality produce for your weekly meals.