Almost every fruit and vegetable is available year-round. Buy in-season, however, and you get produce at its peak of flavor and nutrients. Here's a month-by-month guide to the best of the fresh.

MONTH: January
FRUIT OR VEGETABLE: Clementine
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Fruit heavy for its size
REAP THE BENEFITS: 35 percent of Daily Value (DV) for vitamin C and a wealth of folate, a heart-healthy B vitamin.

MONTH: February
FRUIT OR VEGETABLE: Rainbow chard
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Vibrant leaves (not wilted); firm stalks
REAP THE BENEFITS: A cup of braised chard is big on fiber, calcium, and carotenes.

MONTH: March
FRUIT OR VEGETABLE: Asparagus
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Firm stalks the width of your little finger
REAP THE BENEFITS: 1 cup steamed provides 100 percent of DV for vitamin K (great for bone health) and 65 percent of folate.

MONTH: April
FRUIT OR VEGETABLE: Salad greens (radicchio, mache)
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Richly colored, nonwilted leaves
REAP THE BENEFITS: A two-cup serving supplies more than 400 percent of for vitamin A, 100 percent of folate, and a wealth of minerals, such as magnesium and potassium.

MONTH: May
FRUIT OR VEGETABLE: Strawberries
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Deep-red fruit, without mushy or spoiled spots; smaller are often sweeter
REAP THE BENEFITS: One cup fulfills your daily vitamin C needs and contains the cancer-fighters ellagic acid and anthocyanins.

MONTH: June
FRUIT OR VEGETABLE: Apricots
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Rich orange-colored fruit that is slightly soft, indicating tree-ripened
REAP THE BENEFITS: Three apricots pack more than half of the DV for vitamin A, 15 percent of fiber, and tons of potassium.

MONTH: July
FRUIT OR VEGETABLE: White corn
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Green husks; partially peel and look for plump kernels
REAP THE BENEFITS: One ear boasts loads of the B vitamins, such as thiamin, vital for metabolism.

MONTH: August
FRUIT OR VEGETABLE: Blueberries
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Even blue color; plump but not soft in appearance
REAP THE BENEFITS: One cup supplies a hefty dose of fiber, 30 percent of DV of vitamin C, and anthocyanidins, a group of antioxidants.

MONTH: September
FRUIT OR VEGETABLE: Honeydew melon}
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Sweet smell and smooth skin, free of cuts or overly soft areas
REAP THE BENEFITS: 90 percent water, which aids hydration, plus loads of potassium, vitamin C, and carotenes.

MONTH: October
FRUIT OR VEGETABLE: Concord grapes (or other deep-red or purple grapes)
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Plump, evenly colored grapes; avoid bunches with wrinkled tops and loose stem connections
REAP THE BENEFITS: Full of potassium and polyphenols, which help minimize LDL, or "bad," cholesterol.

MONTH: November
FRUIT OR VEGETABLE: Red cabbage
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Tight head that feels heavy
REAP THE BENEFITS: One cup raw supplies 25 percent DV of vitamin C and potassium, in less than 20 calories.

MONTH: December
FRUIT OR VEGETABLE: Sweet potato
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Firm, without cuts or deep blemishes
REAP THE BENEFITS: Contains more potassium than a banana and a hefty dose of the cancer-fighter beta carotene.