Summer is the season for beach days and outdoor eating, but it’s also the prime season for juicy berries and crisp veggies. Healthy eating happens year-round and this is the perfect time to head out and visit a local Pick Your Own farm. Round up the family and head out to see where these delicious and healthy crops are grown. Then take your pick of the harvest and bring them home to cook some delicious meals.
These farms are a great experience for people of all ages. Kids get to learn about farming and pick their own food. Adults get to enjoy the outdoors and the numerous health benefits that come from that fresh produce. A trip out to the farm would be a great experience for everyone to take part in.
- Specca Farms
870 Jacksonville-Mt. Holly Road, Springfield NJ, 08505
8:30 AM-5:30 PM Thursday-Sunday from March-June & August-December
Drop by Specca Farms to see a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. From beets and kale to okra and rutabaga, this farm has plenty of fresh produce to add to your meals. The farm offers pick your own strawberries, greens, and vegetables. They also set up stands where they sell additional products that you can look through. There are so many different types of products to try at this family farm.
- Highland Orchards
1000 Marshallton-Thorndale Road, West Chester, PA, 19380
9:00 AM-1:30 PM Everyday, Year-Round
www.highlandorchards.net
Visit Highland Orchards throughout the year to bring home seasonal fruits and vegetables year-round. The produce changes depending on the season, so check out their website to see what’s ready for picking. Highland Orchards also boasts a wonderful market where they sell their own baked goods and already harvested crops. Look forward to seeing plenty of berries if you plan on visiting in the summer season. There are storytimes and yoga events for families with children and a food truck festival for adults.
- Solebury Orchards
3325 Creamery Road, New Hope, PA 18938
9:00 AM-6:00 PM Thursday-Sunday June-October, Hours vary per season
www.soleburyorchards.com
Take a trip to Solebury Orchards to pick up some fresh fruit and flowers. Look through the variety of apples, flowers, and berries. The summer season’s crops include tomatoes, blueberries, cherries, and more. Solebury has a market where you can purchase fruit butter, applesauce, ciders, and other produce. The fall season brings about wagon rides and even more apple varieties for picking.
Summer Crops in Pennsylvania
| Apricots Bananas Blackberries Cantaloupe Cherries Figs Grapes Melons | Artichokes Asparagus Spinach Peppers Corn Cucumber Eggplant Tomatoes |
Summer Crops in New Jersey
| Blueberries Cherries Peaches Nectarines Strawberries Blackberries Pears Plums | Beans Beets Broccoli Cabbage Carrots Chard Peppers Potatoes |
Recipes
There are plenty of healthy and filling recipes that utilize the freshly picked produce that you bring home. The sense of accomplishment you’ll get from using food that you picked will make the dishes taste even better.
Spiralized Zucchini, Quinoa, and Turkey Sausage Stuffed Peppers – from Foodiecrush.com
Use your freshly picked peppers and cucumbers in this delicious recipe that would be a hit at any gathering this summer.
Roasted Pepper, Nectarine, and Ricotta Grilled Pizza – from brooklynsupper.com
Peppers and nectarines star in this twist on your regular personal pizza.
5 Minute Berry Soft Serve – from eating-made-easy.com
This super simple frozen treat can be made using any of the fruit that you bring back from the farm.
Summer Fruit Tart – from greenhealthycooking.com
All of your freshly picked fruit can be added to a fruit tart.
Tavinun Vickyanont, Penn State Intern
