Strawberry Festival May 26-28, 2007 at Great Country Farms

Fellow Foodies--

If you are at home Memorial Day weekend--check out the Great Country Farms Annual Strawberry Festival. May 26-28, 2007 is the date. The farm is located in Western Loudoun County in Bluemont, VA.

Kate and her family--who owns the farm--are good friends of ours. I highly recommend taking a picnic lunch or buying food at the farm for lunch. The farm has hayrides, petting zoo, etc. Fishing is also included for the day of fun.

www.greatcountryfarms.com (Great Country Farms web site and info.)

The farm has also PYO (pick your own) products throughout the farm season. See web site for info.

Good eats--

Foodie

 

This thread reminds me. I never got my share delivery this week. We try to go to the farm for the members day festivities and pick your own days. Usually lots of fun.

 

How do you like their share program? We're considering it for this year (assuming it's not too late).

 

christinaandrob and others--

We have used Great Country Farms CSA program in the past and loved it. We used it alot before we moved to our farm more than five years ago. We still PYO (Pick Your Own) berries, corn, and other veggies/fruits. I can and freeze my produce myself and can tell you how to "quick freeze" berries and make homemade freezer jam if any one is interested. Just post query and I will respond.

Also, if you wish other locations for CSA(s) (Community Supported Agriculture) farms, etc.--post question. There are still plenty of other CSA(s), PYO, Organic/Grassfed/Sustainable Living Farms that I can point you to in the Prince William County, Loudoun County, Fairfax County, Frederick County, MD areas, etc.--if you are interested. The CSA(s) still have room available for the season.

Some farms with dairy, meats (full line), eggs, artisan cheeses, yogurts, homemade pies/pastries, breads, produce (fruits and vegetables), and bulk foods. More than you can find at Wegmans. I also know of where the Amish/Mennonite stores purchase their products. Since we are a Mennonite family and have a Mennonite Farm background--I have several farms that I deal with also if we do not produce certain items for ourselves on our own farm.

Alot of the above-mentioned info is not listed through the County Extension Offices--but they have web sites and I have contact numbers for the ones not on the Internet.

We save 20-40% average on our food bills (not counting what I save by shopping at food cooperatives and other stores.) I save on the average for a family of 8 around $500-800 a month including food, cleaning products, and other sundry items. We shop for meats and bulk foods every 3-5 months and fill-in when necessary. I frequent Whole Foods in Fairfax (the new store) twice a month and a co-op and CSA monthly. Plus we have fresh milk delivery from a dairy in Frederick, MD who comes to Leesburg area. Our grocery bill is just about $1000 a month.

Any questions regarding farmers markets, CSA(s)/co-ops, or ways to "bypass" the grocers--ask and I can tell how to shop WHOLESALE for groceries.

Foodie

 

Speaking of Strawberry Festivals, the annual one in Delaplane is also this weekend. We've gone for several years and it's lots of fun.

http://www.delaplanestrawberryfestival.com/dates.html

 

Im not sure if it is too late for this year to sign up, but we like it alot. It seems like you pay more up front, but it balances out ot paying less for groceries each week. The stuff is always fresh, the email you get that week gives some recipes and it kinda forces you to try vegetables that you might or might not try on your own.

 

Hello, Foodie.

I'd like some more info on this underground network of super-secret, wholesale, yummy-fresh food that will save me money. Can it be?!!!! I hope. It sounds exciting. (really. i'm not being sarcastic.)

Oh, and please share your technique for freezing fruit. No lie. I was just thinking about that the other day while eating my typically-uber-over-priced-but-on-sale blackberries.