FOOD & DRINK
Ripe for the Picking
From J o h n sto n to R i c h m o n d , t a ke a to u r of Rhode Island’s PYO berry farms By Abbie Lahmers
M
id-July is the sweet spot (literally) for harvesting berries of all varieties. With plenty of strawberries still on the vine and blueberries reaching peak season any day, now is the time to get your picking in. Many local farms offer a pick-your-own (PYO) model to let you venture into the fields for a more authentic experience of collecting summer berries. Read on to plot your sweet tour throughout the state.
Fresh blueberries from Osamequin Farm
Just in time for blueberry picking , Dame Farm and Orchard reopens this month for PYO fun. Bring your own clippers to take home a mason jar of sunflower clippings while you’re there. Check in at the farm stand before taking to the fields. Johnston, DameFarmAndOrchards.com Multi-generational family-owned Goodwin Brothers Farm Stand opens their fields to blueberry pickers on select dates throughout July. Find blues and raspberries by the carton in their farm store, too. North Smithfield, Facebook: Goodwin Brothers Farm Stand On the tail end of strawberry season, Salisbur y Farm is gearing up for raspberries (which are usually ready mid-August). In the meantime, hit their store for locally made jellies, preser ves, butters, and honey from their own apiary to satisf y your sweet tooth. Johnston, SalisburyFarm.com Neighboring Harmony Farms and Barden Family Orchard are both berry-picking destinations with blues and raspberries by the bucket, plus blackberries at Barden. Follow for upto-date info on what’s ripe when. North Scituate, Facebook: Harmony Farm, Barden Family Orchard
EAST BAY Located just where the corners of Seekonk, Swansea, Barrington, and East Providence meet is Four Town Farm. Check their Facebook page for updates before venturing over to their fields for strawberries fresh from the vine, along with PYO peas. Grab pre-picked blues,
24
raspberries, and blackberries by the carton, too. Seekonk, Facebook: Four Town Farm In business for more than 100 years, Quonset View Farm’s strawberry season usually stretches into the first week of July, and if you miss the chance to pick your own, find bushels at Clements’ Marketplace. Swing by the ATM first because this spot is cash only. Portsmouth, Facebook: Quonset View Farm Satisf y your raspberry cravings at Sweet Berr y Farm, with bushes bearing fruit this
month and again beginning late August. Blueberries are also ready for picking , with blackberries to follow soon. Find plenty of summer produce in their market. Middletown, SweetBerryFarmRI.com Osamequin Farm’s self-serve PYO blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries are all grown completely chemical free. Kids and adults can also learn about the local food system at the co-op with events and a Family Campout July 30-31. Seekonk, OsamequinFarm.org
Hey Rhody JULY 2022 |
HeyRhody.com
Photo courtesy of Osamequin Farm
NORTHERN RHODE ISLAND
