Diana interviewed owner Mark Drabich of Metropolitan Seafood, and got some good tips on buying and cooking seafood.

What should consumers look for when buying fish?

First, he says, know where you’re buying it. “If you walk in and there’s a fishy or ammonia smell, walk out the door. We invite customers to smell any of our fish – even bluefish.”

Second, establish a relationship with your fishmonger … Not only is it more enjoyable for everyone, he says, but “we get to know your preferences, your likes and dislikes. So if there’s something that you like that we don’t have because it’s not in season, we can recommend something else.

“Trust your instincts,” he says. Fish and seafood should look fresh, not dried or have any brown spots. There should also be a spring to the touch.

Another rule. Shop where they cut the fish they sell. “The less time off the bone, the less oxidation occurs,” he says.” [At present, fish at its Stockton market is cut at the Clinton store and, because of that, they offer a smaller selection.]

For the … fish that packs a wallop of Omega 3 and vitamins, you can’t beat sardines, he says, which he gets fresh from Portugal and Greece. [see the recipe below]

Seafood and fish to avoid? “Stay away from processed scallops,” he says, “which are treated with chemicals and added water to equal 20 percent of their weight.”

Then there’s farm-raised salmon. The only kind he carries is organically raised in Ireland and Scotland. Because of their good farming practices, he says, no antibiotics or hormones have to be administered.

But then this is in keeping with his whole approach to seafood as is offering fish and seafood in season. “There are certain times of the year that a fish isn’t available. That’s okay. Try something else. People around here appreciate the seasonality of foods.”

Diana managed to nab one of Mark’s recipes, this one for fresh sardines.

MARK’S ROASTED SARDINES

INGREDIENTS
½ cup of olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
2-3 cloves of garlic, minced
2 ripe large tomatoes, finely chopped
½ cup of white wine
¼ cup of flat leaf parsley plus 2 tbsp for garnish
1 bay leaf
1 tsp of sea salt
2 pounds of fresh sardines, cleaned, headed and butterflied
4-5 tomatoes, thinly sliced
Sweet paprika

HOW TO

1. Rinse sardines and pat dry with a paper towel. P
2. Preheat oven to 400°F.
3. In a medium saucepan, sauté the onion and garlic in the olive oil. When the onion and garlic soften, add chopped tomatoes, wine, parsley, bay leaf, and salt. Bring to a boil, and boil for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Using a roasting pan large enough to arrange the sardines in one even layer, distribute the sauce evenly over the bottom. Place the sardines folded over in a single layer (“okay if you overlap a little”). Arrange the tomato slices over the top, season with salt and pepper, then sprinkle with a little sweet paprika.
5. Drizzle with olive oil and bake for about 20 min. Remove from oven and garnish with parsley.
6. Bring the roasting pan to the table and serve with crusty bread – “serves 4 for dinner or a very grateful party of 10.”

Diana Cercone is a freelance writer and board member of the Bucks County Foodshed Alliance. You can reach her at: dcercone1@verizon.net.

Here are some other local places for fish and seafood:

Bucks County Seafood
164 North Main Street
Dublin, PA 18917
215.249.1295

Buckingham Valley Seafood
1489 Durham Road (2 mi. south of Rts. 202 & 413 intersection)
Buckingham, PA
215.598.9980

Captain Bob’s Fresh Seafood
West End Shopping Center
609 Southwest End Boulevard (Route 309)
Quakertown, PA
215.538.0773

Carroll’s Seafood and Produce Market
5840 Easton Road
Plumsteadville, PA 18949
215.766.7546

Heller’s Seafood Market
1380 Easton Road
Warrington, PA 18976
215.343.9600

Wegmans
1405 Main Street (Valley Square Shopping Center)
Warrington, PA
215.918.3900

If I’m missing any, PLEASE let me know! Thanks.

Look for Bucks County Taste on Facebook and Twitter!

Related posts:

1. Welcome Stockton Market!
2. A winter weekend in Bucks
3. 'Tis the Season

I can’t vouch for all these places, but I’m certainly filing the piece for future reference. I’ll give you some excerpts from the ViperClub’s annual review of the hot wings to be found in their “beloved Upper Bucks County,” along with the list of the “top ten.”

(Note: I like to excerpt pieces from the Herald not only to support local journalism, but also because the Herald only archives two weeks of their issues online. The content will “disappear” from the Web soon, so this way we “save” it.)

Jack Scott and Brent Gobrecht, the two founding members of the ViperClub, take the responsibility upon themselves to inconspicuously frequent local establishments and rate them on the quality of their hot wings. Their rating criteria consist of a point system that critiques everything from the quality of the chicken, how it’s prepared and presented, the amount of “heat,” the flavor of the sauce – to even the value and price of the plate of wings.

“The sauce should have some heat,” says Brent. “Your lips should feel the spice for a few minutes after you’ve finished. They should wake you up a bit not just with the heat, but flavor too… The wing itself should be moist on the inside with a gentle crispiness to the outside.”

With so many establishments, it is a wonder how these two can try them all. “Well, we don’t go to places that don’t have a bar,” explains Jack. “There are really good local pizza places that make amazing wings, but there are simply too many. It would be impossible to hit every one. We needed to draw a line somewhere so having a bar is mandatory. In fact, we had to limit our geography from all of Bucks County to Upper Bucks, which is where we think the best wings can be found.”

“It was really hard this year” adds Jack. “Our points were all over the place and Brent and I didn’t agree at places where we usually do. We both agreed that places like McCoole’s in Quakertown (who are consistently in the top 10) should be up in the ‘Big Four,’ but I thought they could be the best of ’09 and Brent likes the new places, like The OBR.”

There is no doubt the economy has had an impact on everyone and price has become more of an issue this year as well. “You see?” Brent points out “The Heart of the Oak Pub has amazing wings, but who wants to pay $7 or $8 or even $9 for five or six wings? Wings are a blue collar food. You can fancy them up all you want, but I don’t think people want to spend that much.”

All of these places make some extraordinary wings and all of them are neat places to visit. Check them out and talk to the owners. They all have a story. Get out there and experience Upper Bucks County. Who knows? You might run into Jack and Brent.”

ViperClub’s Hot Wings Winners

1. Big Daddy’s Wagon Wheel Tavern (Quakertown)
2. McCoole’s Red Lion Inn (Quakertown)
3. Old Bethlehem Road Pub (Haycock)
4. Pineville Tavern (Pineville)
5. Heart of the Oak Pub (Buckingham)
6. Hart’s Tavern (Lahaska)
7. Fran’s Pub (New Hope)
8. The Farmhouse Tavern (Doylestown)
9. Gardenville Hotel (Gardenville)
10. Isaac Newton’s Pub (Newtown)

Related posts:

1. Weekend Eats in Bucks County
2. Bars We Like – Part 1
3. Let’s Go For Ice Cream

There seems to be a bit of snobbery afoot when it comes to local wines. Granted, some of them lean towards the sweet side. But there are also a number of local wineries that are  shooting for a bit more than a good fruit wine, and harvesting grapes we all know and love – Merlot, Cabernet Savignon, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Viognier (that’s one of my favorite whites, sort of like a Savignon Blanc, grown in California, New Zealand and other places).

Folks who will gladly drink a mediocre wine from California or South America (“It’s a Malbec…and it was only $8.99!”), won’t touch a local wine with a ten-foot pole. But the reality is that some local wineries are working hard to make good wine. With every vintage year, they are learning more about our terroir - that is, what grows well here in the rich Bucks County soil. And some are producing some damn good wine.

We wrote about Crossing Vineyards when we first stopped there for a tasting last Spring. A lot has been going on at Crossing this fall. They celebrated their 6th anniversary of making wine (11 years since planting their first vines). They also brought back several impressive medals from the Sommelier Challenge International Wine Competition in San Diego. On September 26-27, 11 sommeliers from the world’s top restaurants evaluated wines. Of the wines entered, 49 made it to the final round of voting for best of show in five broad categories. Crossing Vineyards’ Merlot 2006 earned a platinum medal in this competition. The Cabernet Franc 2006 scored a gold and the Viognier 2007 earned silver. I will tell you right now from personal experience, all three of these wines deserved it. Drive quickly (but safely) to Crossing Vineyards as soon as possible and buy some.

Another exciting development on the Bucks County food scene is the recent opening of Sand Castle Winery’s store in Warrington. Taste is a gourmand’s idea of a delightful afternoon. Mark and I stopped by recently, and we will write more about it in a future post. But, oh my. Sixteen varieties of olive oil from around the world available for sampling. Twelve kinds of balsamic vinegar. Cheeses, chocolates, and other Pennsylvania-made products. And, of course, Sand Castle Winery’s wines, available for tasting and experiencing. The store is right next to PF Chang’s in the Valley Square Shopping Center (also near Wegmans). Stop by to pick up wine for Thanksgiving and gifts for the foodies on your holiday list.

Who says you can’t buy groceries and wine at the same time in Pennsylvania? Stop by None Such Farm Market in Buckingham and pick up some wine from Buckingham Valley Vineyards while you are shopping for dinner. They’ve added a special kiosk just for Buckingham Valley wines. Now this is progress!

Carlow Cookery is offering a class, “Great Wines for Holiday Fare” this Monday, November 23rd, from 7 – 9 pm. Bill Mickel will explain how to match seasonal food with wines that truly complement their flavors. The class includes some great food and wine, so don’t miss it. Carlow Cookery is in the Doylestown Shopping Center on 432 North Main St.

I’ll be doing another post later this week on some good local wine pairings for Thanksgiving, so please check back.

Related posts:

1. Stop wining
2. The holidays come to Bucks County
3. Tasting and touring Bucks County

And while we’re “sighting,” the first peaches are here too! We just had some from Fairview Farm, on Pineville Road (just down the road from the Pineville Tavern) this weekend and they were delicious (thanks, Sharon). Manoff Market Gardens on Comfort Road in Solebury also has peaches now, but Manoff reminds that these are “eating” peaches as opposed to the kind used for canning and jamming (not “freestone”). Those come in August. The Manoffs have a great blog too. Check it out.

Related posts:

1. Peachy-Keen Weekend
2. The holidays come to Bucks County

We stopped by Shady Brook Farm on Sunday and I picked up their flyer, “Tips on how to pick-your-own strawberries.” Here’s a few of the good ones:

• Pick only plump, red berries. Berries will not ripen once they are picked. The smaller berries are often the most flavorful.
• Pick them gently. Strawberries are tender and bruise easily if they are squeezed so pick them gently. Grasp the stem just above the berry and twist gently to remove the berry.
• Don’t overfill your container. Heaping strawberries more than 5 inches deep will damage the lower berries.
• After rain, pick only berries you plan to eat soon. Strawberries rot quickly if the weather is rainy so, after it rains, only pick berries you plan to eat immediately.
• Cool your berries as soon as possible. Strawberries picked during the heat of the day will not keep as well as berries picked early in the morning or on cooler days.
• Don’t wash the berries until you are ready to use them. Washing will make them more prone to spoiling. Fresh picked strawberries may last only two or three days in the refrigerator so freeze any unused berries to enjoy later.

There are many places in Bucks that you can pick-your-own strawberries. Here’s a few but for a complete list, see the the Penn State Extension website or the PickYourOwn website. Call or check the farm’s website for times and availability (check to see if the rain has affected harvesting).

• Brumbaugh’s Farm, 2575 County Line Rd, Telford,
  215-723-3508
• Center Farm, 2224 Forest Grove Rd, Furlong,
  215-794-7702
• Hellerick Farm, Doylestown
• None Such Farms, Buckingham (update: no PYO strawberries as of 6/16/09; check later if the sun comes out!)
• Shady Brook Farm, Yardley
• Snipes Farm, Morrisville
• Solly Brothers Farm Market, Ivyland
• Traugers Farm Market, Kintersville

Related posts:

1. Pick-your-own strawberries in Bucks
2. 'Tis the Season
3. Cool Jazz, Strawberries and Even a Pig Roast

• All natural bakery items (no preservatives or hydrogenated oils), baked on the premises
• Hormone- and antibiotic-free beef, poultry and pork, raised locally, and sold at a butcher counter
• Fresh organic produce
• Fresh flowers, grown across the street
• Boars Head Meat and Cheeses, including deli sandwiches
• Prepared foods, made on the premises, including entrees, sides, salads and dips
• Local eggs and organic milk, and a full line of other dairy items (yogurt, cream, soy milk, butter, goat milk and fresh mozzarella)
• Nelson’s, Ben & Jerry’s, and Ciao Bella ice cream
• Baked goods from J.Scones
• Superior Pasta from Philadelphia
• Martin’s chicken and turkey sausages (fresh on Fridays and no preservatives)
• Naturally-processed, fair trade coffee roasted in Bucks County by The Coffee Scoop
• Max & Me Smoked Salmon
• A whole host of great grocery items

To be honest, I was a bit surprised to find all these things at None Such Farm Market, in Buckingham, on Route 263 (York Road). I’ve been living around here for eighteen years, and have shopped from time to time at None Such. It wasn’t until I sat down with Carol Routier, one of the managers at the market, that I began to appreciate what is going on at None Such. It’s not just a farm market anymore.

None Such Farm Market is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, sitting on land that has been farmed by the Yerkes family for over seventy years. Now in the hands of the third generation, the market is being co-managed by Rhonda and Karen Yerkes, wives of Scott and Jon Yerkes (learn more about their history).

There have been some changes, all for the best as you can see from the list above. The market has stuck to its roots – providing fresh, locally grown produce, flowers and plants – and then some. As you reach for the front door, notice the dry erase board directly to the right. It lists what’s fresh and new in the store. Then grab a basket or cart and just wander around.

The Yerkes and their staff have been listening to what Bucks County customers want – all natural products, a variety of interesting gourmet and everyday items, as well as “I just need to pick something up for dinner,” type stuff.

"What's growing" sign

Another great addition is the big blackboard at the cash registers. It lists what’s going on at the farm across the street, including what’s being planted, growing and harvested.

As we’ve mentioned before, Mark and I are carnivores, so if you’re not, you might want to skip this paragraph. While all natural meat products have become more common, we’re very fortunate here in Bucks to have all natural meat raised locally. None Such’s cattle is raised on pasture and long grains, and sold fresh at the market. Take home the 6 oz. hamburger patties – they are wonderful, and they don’t shrink on the grill. The pork and poultry are also local, and are hormone- and antibiotic-free, something not always easy to find in central Bucks (especially in pork products).

Herbs and plants

There is so much more – catering services, great bedding plants and hanging baskets, a fresh flower fridge as you walk in to the right – that you’ll just have to check it out yourself. And now’s a great time since None Such Farm’s strawberries have just arrived. They are available for purchase in the market or you can pick your own (Monday – Sunday, 8 am to 12 pm; Monday, Wednesday & Friday, 5 – 8 pm). Nothing against California strawberries, but they’ve come a long way and they tend to be bland. Stop by None Such Market, buy some, and remember what strawberries are supposed to taste like.

The market is open Monday – Friday, 8 am to 6:30 pm, Saturday and Sunday, 8 am to 6 pm, Route 263, 4458 York Rd., Buckingham, 215.794.5201, www.nonesuchfarms.com

For more photos of the market and its products…

Click on each photo to enlarge.

Related posts:

1. Tips On Pick-Your-Own Strawberries

Weekly markets:

• Springtown: Wednesdays from 3  to 6 pm, Springtown Firehouse, 1030 Main Street/Route 212 (begins May 6th)
• New Hope: Thursdays from 3:30  to 7 pm, New Hope-Solebury High School, 180 W. Bridge Street (begins May 7th)
• Lower Makefield: Thursdays from 3:30 to  6:30 pm, Edgewood & Heacock Rds (begins June 4th)
• Linden Hill: Fridays from 3:30 to 7:30 pm, Linden Hill Gardens, 8230 Easton Rd in Ottsville (begins May 29th)
• Wrightstown: Saturdays from 9 am to 1 pm, 2203 Second St Pike (near the township bldg.) (begins May 23rd)
• Doylestown: Saturdays from 7 am to 12 pm, W. State & Hamilton Streets (already in full swing!)
• Plumsteadville Grange Market: Saturdays from 9 am to 12 pm, Route 611, just north of Stump Rd (begins June 6th)

Check our calendar for more details and directions.

Here’s a listing of year-round markets,  roadside and “pick your own” farms that you might want to check out. This is not a comprehensive list. I “cherry-picked” (no pun intended!) ones opening in May/June. Please see the Penn State Cooperative Extension, Bucks County for more information.

Active Acres Farm: Specialty plants, bedding plants, perennials, hanging baskets, hay & straw, strawberries, peaches, sweet corn, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, squash, cucumbers, melons, onions, cornstalks, ornamental corn, mums, gourds, rides to the pumpkin patch*, barnyard animals, educational school tours, Sleepy Hollow Haunted Hayride. *Pick-your-own: May-October Every day
881 Highland Road, Newtown 18940
215-968-2192

Bechdolts Orchard, Inc.: Peaches, pears, apples, plums, nectarines, tomatoes, peppers.
2209 Leithsville Rd/Route 412, Hellertown 18055
610-838-8522
Spring & fall hours – 9:00 am-5:00 pm
Summer hours – 9:00 am-6:00 pm

Bolton’s Farm Market: Turkey: parts, sausage, ground, cutlets; chickens, beef, berries, sweet corn, cantaloupes, tomatoes, peaches, other fruits and vegetables, milk in glass bottles. No hormones or drugs used on animal products. Phone orders taken.
Route 113, Silverdale 18962
215-257-6047
Market: Year round, Monday – Saturday.

Brumbaugh’s Farm: Strawberries*, raspberries, peas*, sweet corn, tomatoes, peppers, squash, beans, herbs, lettuce, melons, cucumbers, cut flowers, asparagus, mums, pumpkins, gourds, Indian corn, hanging baskets, bedding plants, Christmas wreaths. *Pick-your-own
2575 County Line Road, Telford 18969
215-723-3508
Market: April – December, Monday-Saturday

Carousel Farm Lavender: Lavender plants, flowers, Lavender products-soaps, candles, creams, essential oils. Organic.
5966 Mechanicsville Road, Mechanicsville 18934
917-837-6903
Open from May to December; call for hours

Center Farm: Strawberries* (June), Seasonal Vegetables, Flowers*, Fall Field Pumpkin Picking, Gourds, etc. Daily *Pick-your-own
2224 Forest Grove Road, Furlong 18925
215-794-7702
June-November 10:00 am-7:00 pm

Charlann Farm: Asparagus, peas, beets, cabbage, sweet corn, tomatoes, peppers, cantaloupes, eggplant, string beans, zucchini, vegetable plants, Hanging Baskets, bedding plants, straw, Indian corn, pumpkins, gourds. Christmas trees, wreaths. Also at Lower Makefield Farmers’ Market.
586 Stonyhill Road, Yardley 19067
215-493-1831
Market: May 1-October 31, every day, 9 am- 6:00 pm
Thursdays: Lower Makefield Township Farmers’ Market

Ely Farm Products, Inc.: Pork, beef, poultry, veal, processed meats (bacon, sausage, ham, kielbasa, dried beef, jerky, etc.) Holiday turkeys – all natural, deer processing, pig roasts, raw honey, all natural eggs, European-style Artisan cheeses.
401 Woodhill Road, Newtown 18940 (Washington Crossing)
215-860-0669
Market: Open all year; Thursday, Friday – 9 am to 5 pm, Saturday – 9 am to 2 pm

Hellerick’s Family Farm: Strawberries*, pumpkins*, gourds*, cut flowers*, Pumpkin Festival, straw bales, corn shocks, Indian corn, pie pumpkins, winter squash, fall decorating supplies, apples, dried gourds for crafting. FAMILY FUN, Straw Maze, Jungle Trail Maze, Hayrides – Saturday & Sunday. School tours, 5 acre corn maze, Old Fashioned Fun Area, Birthday parties, Corporate parties. *Pick-your-own
5500 Easton Rd., On Rt. 611, six miles north of 202, Doylestown 18902
215-766-8388
Market: May, June & October, every day

Fairview Farm: Farm fresh milk in glass bottles. Our own tree ripened peaches & plums, organic eggs. Strawberries, sweet corn, tomatoes, apples, peas*, other seasonal vegetables. Fresh turkeys for Thanksgiving. * Pick-your-own
831 Pineville Road, Pineville 18946
215-598-3257
Market: Monday – Saturday, Call for hours

Lapinski Farm: Strawberries, raspberries, corn, snow peas, pumpkins, broccoli, asparagus, tomatoes, cantaloupes, beans, onions, peppers, peaches, plums, watermelons, red beets, hull peas, Indian corn, potatoes.
1003 Middle Road, Dublin 18917
215-249-3431
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday – 1:00 -7:00 pm
Saturday – 8:00 am- 4:00 pm; Wednesday & Sunday – closed.
Plumsteadville Farmers Market – 9:00 am – 12:00 noon on Saturdays

Lilies & Lavender: Cut flowers & herbs, culinary herbs in pots.
729 Limekiln Road, Doylestown 18901
215-345-7282
Sell at the following: Doylestown Farmers’ Market, Emmaus Farmers’ Market, New Hope Farmers’ Market, Wrightstown Farmers’ Market, Middletown Farmers’ Market. Farm stand is serve yourself.

Maximuck’s Farm Market: Their own bird feed along with produce, plants, flowers, hanging baskets, hormone free frozen beef, crafts, holiday and seasonal merchandise, glass bottled milk, year round hydroponic lettuce, pumpkins.
5793 Long Lane Road , Doylestown 18902
215-297-9894
Market: Open Year Round, Tuesday-Sunday

Milk House Farm Market: Eggs, honey, hay & straw-year round. Seasonal – sweet corn, wide variety of fresh vegetables, tomatoes, pumpkins, cut flowers. Eggs are free from antibiotics, hormones, steroids. Hens are cage free. Also at Wrightstown Farmers’ Market (Saturday) and Linden Hill Farmers’ Market (Friday afternoons).
1118 Slack Road, Newtown 18940 (Washington Crossing)
215-852-4305
Open sun-up to sun-down all year.

None Such Farm Market: Their own farm raised beef, sweet corn, tomatoes, strawberries*, asparagus, other vegetables, melons, dairy, squash, bedding flowers, pumpkins*, bakery, meat shop, full service deli featuring Boars Head meats & cheeses. New flower department. *Pick-your-own
4458 York Road 1/4 mi. S. of Rte. 413, Buckingham 18912
215-794-5201
Market open year round, every day, 8:00 am – 6:30 pm

Peace Valley Lavender Farm: Lavender plants, lavender flowers*, lavender sachets & pillows, lavender bath & body items, dried lavender and more. * Pick-your-own.  # Organic
802 New Galena Road, Doylestown 18901
215-249-8462
Gift Shop: year round Thursday-Saturday-10:00 am-5:00 pm
Sunday-12:00 noon-5:00 pm

Penn View Farm: Milk – pasteurized, non-fat, 2% & whole milk, frozen beef, local ice cream, seasonal produce, bulk foods.
1433 Broad St. At Broad & Middle Rd., south of Rt. 313 (South of Dublin), Perkasie 18944
215-249-9128 (market), 215-249-3395 (farm)
Market: Year round, Monday-Saturday

Rick’s Egg Farm: Antibiotic & hormone-free eggs from our own free-nesting uncaged hens, butter, cheese, meats, rhubarb, strawberries, honey, potatoes, maple syrup, “Bottled milk produced without the use of rbST”, in-season fruits & vegetables, pumpkins & gourds. Kitchen Kettle jams & relishes. Nelson’s Dutch Farms ice cream, home baked goods. Homestead’s #Organic, Fair Trade Coffee.
4917 Durham Road (Route 412), Kintnersville 18930
610-847-5322
Market: January – December, Monday – Saturday, 8 am – 6 pm, Sunday, 8 am – 2 pm

Shady Brook Farm & Agway: Bedding plants, apples*, blackberries*, strawberries*, peaches*, raspberries*, flowers, fresh summer & fall produce-Year round Farm Market & Garden Center, school tours, fall activities include: pumpkins* & haunted activities, Holiday light show, Rose Bank Winery kiosk, bakery & hormone free milk in glass bottles, ice cream & deli. *Pick-your-own
931 Stony Hill Road Off Rt. 332 at I-95, Yardley 19067
215-968-1670
Market: Monday – Saturday, 7:00 am – 7:00 pm, Sunday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Solly’s Farm Market: Strawberries*, pumpkins*, tomatoes*, beans*, peas*, peaches*, raspberries*, sweet corn, apples, lopes, squash, cucumbers, Indian corn, gourds, straw, mums, broccoli, beets, eggplant, hot peppers, bedding plants, Christmas trees, wreaths, jams, baked goods, school tours, hayrides. *Pick-your-own
707 Almshouse Road, Ivyland 18974
215-357-2850
Market: May 1 – December 24

Styer Orchard, Inc.: Strawberries*, cherries*, peaches*, apples*, pears*, plums*, grapes*, pumpkins*, winter squash, summer vegetables*, sweet corn*, gourds, fall items, straw, blackberries*, nectarines, apricots, school tours, hayrides. * Pick-your-own
97 Styers Lane, Langhorne 19047
215-702-9633
Market: Open from late May to January; Call for hours & availability

Tabora Farm & Orchard: *Apples, *strawberries, *vegetables. From-scratch Bakery & Deli. Country store. Seasonal Festivals. * Pick-your-own. Also at Linden Hill Farmers’ Market.
1104 Upper Stump Road, Chalfont 18914
215-249-3016
Open 7 days a week., 9:30 am-7:00 pm

Tall Pine Farms: Fruit & vegetables including but not limited to: Apples, bamboo stakes, beans, beets, brambles, broccoli raab, carrots, cherries, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, gourds, green herbs, okra, onions, peaches, peas, peppers, potatoes, pumpkins, radishes, summer & winter squash, strawberries, tomatoes, tomatilloes, turnips, sunflowers & other specialty items.
1046 Swamp Road, Rushland 18956
Market: Open April-November
Check our website for times & availability or find us at local Farmers’ Markets in Doylestown, Jenkintown, Lower Makefield, New Hope, Springtown, & Wrightstown

Tanner Brothers: Dairy products, ice cream, fruits, vegetables, baked goods.
1070 Hatboro Road, Ivyland 18974
215-357-1716
Market: Year round, every day

Trauger’s Farm Market: Strawberries*, peas*, (shelling available), string & lima beans*, tomatoes*, blackberries*, raspberries*, sweet corn, asparagus, rhubarb, peppers, summer & winter squash, zucchini, sweet potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, eggplant, cut flowers, pumpkins, fruit & gift baskets, Christmas trees & wreaths. *Pick-your-own: June-September. Phone orders for freezing.
Rt. 611, 2 miles south of Riegelsville, Kintnersville 18930
610-847-5702
Market: Open year round
Also at Doylestown Farmers Market, Linden Hill Farmers Market, Plumsteadville Grange Farmers Market, Saucon Valley Farmers’ Market

Jacob & Jayne Wildemore: Apples*, strawberries*, blueberries*, lettuce, beans, herbs, peas*, summer & winter squash, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, eggplant, garlic. *Pick-your-own Phone orders.
977 Upper Stump Rd. At Upper Church & Lower Stump Roads, Chalfont 18914
215-249-3683
Market: April-November, Monday-Saturday
Doylestown Farmers’ Market

Related posts:

1. Tips On Pick-Your-Own Strawberries
2. Cool Jazz, Strawberries and Even a Pig Roast
3. Reprise: Rain, Rain Go Away…In Time For The Weekend

Not so many years ago, you couldn’t get decent produce in winter. Then they started shipping stuff from Chile and other parts of South America. And we got spoiled. Avocados in January? Why not? Cheap asparagus in December? Of course! Most Americans don’t even know the origin of their produce, be it domestic or international. It’s just there. If it’s not, we get annoyed.

I know container shipping has gotten more sophisticated – vacuum-packing, temperature-controlled, yada, yada. But, yes, wouldn’t it be better to eat something locally produced? Two miles versus two thousand?

It’s happening here in Bucks County. In a small way, to be sure, but it’s happening. We’ve mentioned Blue Moon Acres in Buckingham and their excellent micro greens. And now Maximuck’s Farm, on the outskirts of Doylestown, is growing greens hydroponically. Over the past year, they’ve built a state-of-the-art greenhouse and began selling a variety of salad greens in their market on Long Lane. In case you don’t know Maximuck’s, this family-owned and operated farm sells its own produce, hormone-free beef, hormone-free milk, bedding plants, flowers, bird feed and more, year-round.

As I walked into the bright, sunny greenhouse last week, I was blown away. I spent the first five minutes taking photos of the greens. Then Matt Maximuck, Jr., and I spoke about the new venture.

First off, why would a traditional farm go into hydroponics?

“We’re running out of farm ground,” explains Matt. “This way we can grow a lot more in a little amount of space. It’s also the best way to grow stuff. Plants get more nutrients and it goes right to the roots. The plants don’t have to spend time (energy) searching for nutrients, as they would in the soil.” It also conserves water, since the water is re-circulated.

Right now, Maximuck’s is concentrating on growing lettuces and greens: romaine, butterhead (Boston), red and green leaf lettuce, spinach and even bok choy. “We’re starting to grow some mesculin mixes. And trying some heirloom lettuces too,” says Matt.

What about the future?

“Eventually we want to be able to grow everything, all your normal vegetables, so people have fresh vegetables all year round,” Matt  says. “But not everything that will grow outside will grow in a greenhouse” or be economically feasible. You may also find these greens showing up on local restaurant tables as Maximuck’s increases its wholesale business.

For now, you can purchase the greens at the Maximuck Farm Market at 5793 Long Lane, near Street Road in Doylestown/Buckingham. The market is open Tuesday through Saturday (winter hours may vary). Phone: (215) 297-9894

Update: You may see Maximuck’s greens at your local farm market under the name, “White Star Growers Inc.” Markets carrying them include: Tanner Bros. , Altomonte’s and Del Val Farm Market by Shady Brook.

See more pics at Photo Gallery: Maximuck’s Farm

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