A longtime favorite for fresh produce, Market at 7th Square, also known as the West Monroe Farmers Market, brings local growers and shoppers together throughout the year. What you'll find changes with the seasons, which is part of the fun.

Spring brings strawberries, plants and greens, while summer tables fill with corn, tomatoes, squash, peas, peppers, butter beans, okra, watermelon, muscadines, peaches and more. As temperatures cool, look for sweet potatoes, pumpkins and sugar cane, followed by citrus and pecans during the holiday season.

Because the market operates year-round, there's always a reason to stop in and see what's fresh.

For another traditional market experience, head to the Monroe Farmers' Market on Washington Street. Local growers offer a rotating selection of fruits and vegetables based on what's coming out of the fields.

During the summer growing season, it's a great place to browse for North Louisiana favorites like tomatoes, peppers, squash, peas and melons. And because availability depends on the harvest, you never know exactly what you'll discover until you get there.

At Indian Village Harvest Farm, shopping for produce can easily turn into a family outing. William and Rebecca Cook began with a small peach farm, but today their operation has grown to more than 30 acres. Their farm market offers produce grown by the Cooks as well as fruits and vegetables from neighboring farms and small growers.

Each season brings something different. Strawberries take center stage in the spring, followed by peaches and other summer produce, while fall brings pumpkins and seasonal activities. There's plenty for kids to enjoy, too, and no visit is complete without trying some of the farm's homemade ice cream made with seasonal flavors.

For a quick taste of what's growing locally, stop by one of Ouachita Parish's neighborhood farm stands. These smaller stands make it easy to pick up fresh produce straight from area growers, with selections changing throughout the season based on what's being harvested. From summer tomatoes and melons to locally grown vegetables and other farm-fresh finds, you never know what might be waiting when you stop by.

Big Daddy Farms | West Monroe
293 Jimmy Lee Lane, West Monroe

Lindstrom Farms | Monroe
503 Fortune Drive, Monroe

The Rusty Bucket Farm | West Monroe
6344 Jonesboro Road, West Monroe

Want to get even closer to the source? When blueberries are in season, Brown Family Blueberry Farm offers a chance to turn produce shopping into an experience.

The family-owned farm specializes in fresh blueberries, with U-pick and pre-picked options available during the growing season. Grab a bucket and bring the family along, then take your berries home for cobblers, pancakes, smoothies, or just eat them by the handful.

One of the best things about buying locally grown produce is that the selection is always changing. Strawberries give way to peaches, tomatoes, peas and melons. Summer vegetables eventually make room for pumpkins, sweet potatoes, greens, citrus and pecans.

That means there's never really one "best" time to shop local. Grab a basket, follow the season and see what's growing in Ouachita Parish. You'll come home with something fresh, and you'll be supporting the farmers and growers who help put it on the table.