Farm News!

Orchard Country Produce and Fruit Farm is still working even during these difficult times

We are growing some really good food this spring.  We are planting radishes every week. Snap peas, early green beans, and  tomatoes are in the ground. Broccoli, kale, lettuce and chard are almost ready to pick, as are the spring onions from the field.

We are still picking lettuce, spinach, chard, kale and radishes from the tunnels for the only farm stand that we have right now.

All the fruit looks very good.  Peaches and pears are in blossom.  Plums have set fruit.  All the berries are looking very nice-  Strawberries, blackberries, black and red raspberries, gooseberries and currants.

We are planting new blueberries bushes this year.  They will go in the ground as soon as we have a warm day to plant. 

Believe it not we picked our first asparagus and rhubarb the other day!

Markets

St Luke's on Fort Hunt Rd, Alexandria is open and doing business every Saturday from 8- 1pm.  Pre-orders are welcome, email us at ocp@orchardcountryproduce.com or call 717-486-4653 to place an order.

Fairfax Community Market in Fairfax is planning to open with pre-orders only on the first day - May 9.  You can get a price list from us for the opening day.  We will package your order and bring it to Fairfax on May 9 and you can pay there.  Let us know if you would like to get a price list for that market.       ocp@orchardcounrtyproduce.com

East Columbia Library Farm Stand will be opening on Thursday, May 14 in the parking lot from 12 noon -6 pm.  We will have items there to purchase from the stand and also a drive-through market as well for folks who would rather not get too close.  Folks can also pre-order items and we will have them for you to pick up on that day.  Let us know if you would like a list of items available for Thursday, May 14  ocp@orchardcountryproduce.com

Belle View Condos Farm Stand - Alexandria is set to open on Thursday, May 7 from 2 - 7 pm.  There will be items for sale on that day and also pre-orders will be available as well.  Let us know via email ocp@orchardcountryproduce.com or phone: 717-486-4653 if you would like to place an order.

At this time there is no Farm stand at National Geographic Society in DC.  Unfortunately with the government shut down, Gregg is not allowed to set up there.  We are working on a solution  before the beginning of the CSA on June 2.  Gregg will definitely be there to bring your CSA boxes on June 2. 

We have added a safety policy for Orchard Country Produce to our website.  I am including it here on this email so that you folks who have been part of our farm can understand what we are attempting to do to counter disease and encourage safety.

For Customers:

Do not shop if you are sick.

Choose with your eyes. Resist the urge to sort through any fresh produce. Touch only what you plan to purchase including baked goods and jar items.

Maintain a safe distance – 6 feet recommended

Wash your hands before you come. Cover coughs or sneezes in your elbow.

Limit your party to one person attending the market. If you must bring children, have them clasp their hands together to avoid touching.

Wash your reusable bags before the market. Never sit your reusable bag on a market table.

Refrain from touching or using your cell phone while shopping at the market.  

For Farmer:

Display signage on how to shop safely.

Use gloves and face mask if possible.

Use disinfectant on tables.

Space items and tables to give customers distance.

Regulate customers within tent space to 2-3 customers per 10 foot tent.

Form lines with proper distancing between customers.

No pets under tents or near tables.

Have items in bags or containers. Customers should not touch items.

Display clear prices for customers.

No samples.  

 Pre-orders

Customers can place orders:     

   before Wednesday for Thursday delivery

   before Friday for Saturday delivery   

   before Monday for Tuesday delivery

by emailing ocp@orchardcountryproduce.com or calling 717-486-4653 and leaving a message.

Orders will be prepared and pre-bagged and waiting for customer at the market.

Cash, checks or credit cards will be accepted at the market.

 CSA:

Now might be the time to consider a CSA box of pre-boxed vegetables and fruit each week for either 12 weeks or 24 weeks beginning in June. Check out the CSA information on our website:  www.orchardcountryproduce

  Who handles your food?

At Orchard Country Produce that’s a short list!

We grow it, harvest it, wash it, and package it!

Gregg and Louise Keckler

Oliver and Lizzie Keckler

It’s Fresh and Safe!  

We hope that you are having a wonderful spring!  It has been most unusual! 

Orchard Country Produce and Fruit Farm, Inc

Gregg and Louise Keckler

Oliver and Lizzie Keckler - Isabelle and Remington, too

  Come out and buy local farm products from the real farmer

                                           FRUIT              

 Fuji apples

Gold Rush apples

Cameo apples 

Pink Lady apples 

Bosc pears

Fresh apple cider

Great  Products

  Come out and buy local farm products from the real farmer

                                           FRUIT              

 Fuji apples

Gold Rush apples

Cameo apples 

Pink Lady apples 

Bosc pears

Fresh apple cider

Great  Products