An association of Colorado fruit and vegetable growers urges consumers to take advantage of peak produce season — including the harvests of Palisade peaches and Olathe sweet corn.

“Now is a fantastic time for Coloradans to seek out and enjoy Colorado produce,” said Marilyn Bay Drake, executive director of the Colorado Fruita and Vegetable Growers Association. “While we don’t have a long harvest season, the quality of the produce is exceptional. Many believe the hot days and cool nights make Colorado produce sweeter and more flavorful.”

The association website at https://coloradoproduce.org allows consumers and wholesale buyers to search for produce by type and region. The website also includes a harvest calendar.

Bay Drake asked consumers to seek out produce at farmers markets as well as urge grocery stores to stock Colorado produce. According to the results of an agricultural census, Colorado lost more than 2,800 farms between 2017 and 2018.

“Supporting local agriculture is so very important to reverse this alarming trend,” she said.

The CFVGA represents more than 280 members, including growers of all sizes and types of production throughout the state. By one estimate, the Colorado produce sector contributes nearly $485 million at the farm gate, a number that’s multiplied as produce goes through distribution chains.