We are pleased to announce that we will be offering Fruit Shares again this year, in partnership with Autumn Hills Orchard in Groton, MA. 

Autumn Hills Orchard is a working orchard located in historic Groton, Massachusetts about 35 miles north and west of Framingham.  The farm produces over 25 varieties of apples, plus peaches, pears, plums, grapes and raspberries.  For several years, Autumn HIlls enjoyed partnering with Stearns Farm and other local CSAs to provide weekly shares in the late summer/fall.  Share contents vary by week over the season but are primarily apples with other fruit varieties based on availability including: Concord grapes, Italian plums, Bartlett pears and Bosc pears.  Shares may also include the following apple varieties:  Paula Red, Ginger Gold, Macintosh, Cortland, Red Cort, Empire, Golden Delicious, Mutsu, Cox’ Orange Pippin, Spencer, Rhode Island Greening, Macoun, Kendall, SpiGold, Northern Spy, Sun Crisp, Red Delicious, Fuji, or Braeburn.  Autumn Hills’ employs Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques, growing high quality fruit and takes pride in producing fruit for pick your own visitors, wholesale customers and CSA subscribers.  The farm is open September through October for “pick your own.”  CSA customers who visit during that time will receive a special welcome and tour!

When:

Deliveries are scheduled to start the week of September 10th and will go through the end of the season (6 weeks).  The fruit share will consist of a 1/2 peck of fresh picked apples or a package equivalent in value of other fruit (plums, pears, grapes).  For complete information about the varieties Autumn Hills grows as well as tips for cooking/preparation, etc., visit their website.

You will pick up your fruit share on the same day that you pick up your regular share.  Pickup times are 2-7 pm. There will be a separate clipboard to check off.

Cost: 

$56 for a full 6-week share  (1/2 peck bag each week)

$28 for an alternate, 3-week share (1/2 peck bag every other week)

You must sign up at the farm!  There will be special envelopes for sign-up on the check-in table (beginning Tues 7/30).  Fill out the information  on the envelope, insert your check (payabe to Stearns Farm CSA), seal it and drop it in the green wooden lockbox.  Sign-up ends on August 31st!  One must be a Member to participate.