Q: What can I expect in my weekly Sweet Corn & Fruit Share?
A: Your weekly Corn & Fruit Share will be a half-bushel box (same size box as our vegetable shares) and will be approximately half-full of local sweet corn (6 to 10 ears on average, depending on size) topped with a seasonal selection of fruit from our favorite local orchards. The fruit selection will showcase New England favorites such as peaches, white peaches, nectarines, pears, melons, and a variety of late summer and early autumn apples. We source the corn, which is harvested the morning of each CSA pickup/delivery day, from our neighbors at Verrill Farm.
Q: Where is Verrill Farm, and what is their connection to Siena Farms?
A: Verrill Farm is just down the road from us here at Siena Farms, in historic Concord, MA. Many of their fields are actually interspersed with ours, so they are truly neighbors as well as mentors. Steve and Joan Verrill, who are now in their eighties, run their 200-acre farm with their daughter Jennifer and have one of the most impressive farm stands in Massachusetts. Verrill’s sweet corn has long been known as the best around, and we feel so lucky to be able to share it with you.
Q: Do Verrill Farm and the orchards that supply the fruit grow their produce organically?
A: As you probably know, sweet corn and most kinds of fruit are much harder to grow organically, with consistent quality, than the wide variety of diversified vegetables that we grow at Siena Farms. Both Verrill and the orchards that we source from practice IPM (Integrated Pest Management) to grow their products. IPM is described eloquently here on Verrill Farm’s website. The Verrills and the orchardists we source from are very talented, experienced farmers who care a great deal about their farmland, their customers, and the quality of their products.
Other questions? Check out the other “More Info” links on our CSA page, chat with us at our Copley stand or farmstores, or call us at 978-261-5365. Cheers and Happy Eating!