Autumn Hills Orchard will offer a six-week fruit share this fall to Stearns Farm CSA members. Fruit share participants will receive a 1/2 peck of fresh picked apples or a package equivalent in value of other fruit, based on availability.
Deliveries are scheduled to begin during the week of Sept. 13, 2016. A full share costs $60, and alternate week shares are available for $30. If you have a full Stearns Farm share, you may choose an alternate-week fruit share—or choose a full fruit share even if you have an alternate-week Stearns Farm share, but it should be picked up on your usual pick-up day.
Share contents will vary by week over the season but are primarily apples; other fruit varieties may include Concord grapes, Italian plums, Bartlett pears and Bosc pears. Shares may include the following apple varieties: Paula Red, Ginger Gold, Macintosh, Cortland, Red Cort, Empire, Golden Delicious, Mutsu, Cox’s Orange Pippin, Spencer, Rhode Island Greening, Macoun, Kendall, SpiGold, Northern Spy, Sun Crisp, Red Delicious, Fuji, or Braeburn. Autumn Hills will provide information about the varieties offered on their online CSA page as well as tips for using the fruit.
Ann Harris, the owner of Autumn Hills Orchard, will visit Stearns Farm on Tuesday, July 26, during pickup, when she will sell blueberries a la carte and answer questions about the fruit share.
Signup details will be available soon. You must be a Stearns Farm CSA member to enroll. Fruit shares must be purchased by Sept. 10, 2016 in order to participate. If you have not already purchased a Stearns Farm membership for 2016, please plan to do so when placing your order.
About Autumn Hills Orchard
Autumn Hills Orchard is located in historic Groton, Mass. about 35 miles northwest of Framingham. The farm produces over 25 varieties of apples, as well as peaches, pears, plums, grapes and raspberries. For many years, Autumn Hills has enjoyed partnering with Stearns Farm and other local CSAs to provide weekly shares in September and October.
The orchard employs Integrated Pest Management techniques to grow high quality fruit for pick your own visitors, wholesale customers and CSA subscribers. The farm is open in September and October for “pick your own.” CSA customers who visit during that time will receive a special welcome and tour.