From Field to Fork: Meet the Season’s First Greens

June 5, 2026

“Lettuce is like conversation; it must be fresh and crisp, so sparkling that you scarcely notice the bitter in it.”
— Charles Dudley Warner

While the calendar says differently, summer has arrived in the Valley, and with it comes the first wave of fresh harvests. Market booths are beginning to burst with vibrant greens, colorful vegetables, and beautiful flowers, transforming our Village into a celebration of the season.

From late spring through early July, lettuces and salad greens take center stage. These fast-growing leafy vegetables are refreshing, versatile, and packed with nutrition. Rich in water, fiber, vitamins A and K, folate, potassium, and calcium, they are the perfect addition to warm-weather meals.

Lettuce Varieties Arriving at the Market

Romaine 
Known for its long, upright leaves and crisp texture, romaine is one of the most nutrient-dense lettuces, particularly high in folate. Its sturdy leaves hold up well to hearty dressings and toppings, making it a favorite for salads and wraps. Look for romaine at Farmer Dave’s.

Butter Lettuce (Boston and Bibb)
With its soft, velvety leaves and delicate flavor, butter lettuce adds elegance to any salad. Rich in vitamin K, folate, and vitamin A, it’s also excellent as a wrap for shrimp, chicken, or other proteins. You can even serve a head as a simple wedge salad. Find it at Farmer Dave’s.

Loose-Leaf Lettuce
Available in green, red, and oakleaf varieties, loose-leaf lettuce offers vibrant color, mild flavor, and a light, crisp texture. Green leaf lettuce is rich in vitamin C, while red leaf varieties provide additional antioxidants. Perfect for salads, sandwiches, and wraps, these colorful greens are available from Farmer Dave’s, Fresh Start Farms, and Brookford Farm when available. Fresh Start also offers convenient mixed packages of red and green leaf lettuces.

Spring Mix (Mesclun)
Rather than a single variety, spring mix is a blend of tender young greens that may include baby lettuces, arugula, spinach, radicchio, and more. Its mix of colors, textures, and flavors makes it a wonderful salad base. Pair with shaved fennel, pears, soft cheeses, or nuts, and use a light dressing that won’t overpower the delicate leaves.

Beyond Lettuce: Greens Worth Exploring

Baby Spinach
Tender, versatile, and packed with vitamin A and heart-healthy nitrates, baby spinach is equally at home in salads, smoothies, egg dishes, and atop pizza. Its mild flavor and delicate leaves make it one of the easiest greens to enjoy. Available from many of our growers throughout the season.

Arugula
This Mediterranean favorite delivers a distinctive peppery bite that pairs beautifully with roasted meats, sweet fruits, pasta dishes, and pizza. Baby arugula is especially tender this time of year. Look for it at Farmer Dave’s, Brookford Farm, Fresh Start Farms, and a microgreen version at Meta Microgreens, when available.

Watercress
Often considered one of the most nutrient-dense greens available, watercress offers a bright, peppery flavor and delicate texture. Use it to add freshness to salads, top pizzas, or complement richer entrées. Because it’s highly perishable, enjoy it soon after purchase. If you spot watercress at one of our farm stands, don’t pass it by.

As the season unfolds, even more greens, vegetables, fruits, and flowers will make their way to the Market. Visit our Village each week and watch the Valley’s harvest come alive. The season is just getting started — and it only gets better from here.