You may think of farm stands and farmers’ markets as a summer thing, but they are a great place to visit in the fall. Farmers are still harvesting lots of wonderful fruits and vegetables, including varieties of apples, squashes, and root vegetables. Think of the soups, stews, pies, and tarts you can make! Plus, you get to shop outside in the crisp fall air to work up an appetite!

In addition to late season crops, many markets and stands will have freshly pressed cider and specially ground flours, as well as pickles, relishes, fruit butters, and preserves that have been curing since summer.

It’s sad, but autumn is also a traditional time to slaughter animals that you aren’t planning to feed and shelter all winter. That means you may find a wider variety and greater volume of ethically raised and processed meats at your favorite stand or market, along with things like patés, fresh sausages, and cheese.

It’s a great time to visit your local farmers and do more scratch cooking at home. The evenings are getting longer and as the days grow chillier, having the stove and oven on for hours is less oppressive. And the results are so worth it.