Nothing says summertime like fresh produce. Eat the rainbow and enjoy the local bounty with a visit to five of the loveliest farm stands the East End offers.
HALSEY FARM & NURSERY
Halsey Farm & Nursery is a local favorite with a history as colorful as the produce and as old as the Hamptons. The farm stand rests on 82 acres of land farmed by the Halsey family since 1747. Descendants of Thomas Halsey, one of the earliest settlers, three generations of the family own and operate the farm. One can taste the centuries of pride and experience in the fruits of their labor, of which there are many. Their offerings range from a variety of produce, including nine varieties of lettuce, 20 kinds of peppers and a motley of herbs, to freshly cut flowers like dahlias, sunflowers and zinnias. Located in gorgeous, rural Water Mill, the farm stand at Halsey Farm is located at the intersection of Deerfield Road and Head of Pond Road. 513 Deerfield Road, Water Mill,halseyfarm.com
HANK’S FARMSTAND
Hank’s Farmstand is a Southampton staple that goes beyond simple produce shopping, offering visitors the chance to convene with nature through berry picking. Right off County Road 39A, the fields abound with garden-fresh strawberries, blackberries and raspberries, all ripe for the picking. Hank’s promises a charming afternoon pastime for people of all ages. 324 County Road 39A, Southampton,hankspumpkintown.com
FAIRVIEW FARM AT MECOX
The motto of Fairview Farm—“from our farm to your table”—aptly describes the bond between farmer and consumer. Farmers, like those at Fairview, provide us with nutrient-rich sustenance, which we then utilize to live as our healthiest, best selves. Fairview Farm at Mecox is a family-run endeavor that offers even more than your standard produce fare, fully encompassing the farm-fresh experience with meats and eggs from heritage pork and pastured chicken and ducks. If you are hankering for something to warm your winter-frozen soul, the farm kitchen is known for its homemade pies and challah bread. 19 Horsemill Lane, Bridgehampton,fairviewfarmatmecox.com
GREEN THUMB ORGANIC FARM
For Green Thumb Organic Farm, organic is more than just a word; it is a promise it is wholly dedicated to living up to. Its stellar selection of greenhouse-grown vegetables, fruits and herbs is USDA-certified by the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York, guaranteeing you get some of the freshest produce the Empire State offers. In addition to its homegrown greenery, Green Thumb sources other treats like coffee, cheese and baked goods locally and even has a resident beekeeper in Mary Woltz of Bee’s Needs. 829 Montauk Highway, Water Mill,greenthumborganicfarm.com
NORTH SEA FARMS
North Sea Farms is a family affair that began in 1945 with two brothers and grew under the loving care of a son and his wife. Exemplary of a local community of farmers supporting one another, the farm stand at North Sea Farms had an auspicious start thanks to another local favorite. Ray Halsey of Halsey Farms encouraged Tate King of North Sea to explore vegetable farming and open a farm stand on the family property—a business decision King claimed was the best they ever made. North Sea Farms specializes in free-range chickens and eggs but also offers a variety of produce, including herbs, corn, seven peppers and three kinds of squash. 1060 Noyac Road, Southampton,northseafarms.com
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