Where to find your state's best farm shop
Escape to the country
Farm stores are having a moment. As well as being a joy to shop in, they help us support local businesses and understand where our food is really coming from. Here, we take a look at our favorite in every state for fresh eggs, seasonal produce, and pasture-reared meat and dairy. Be sure to check each website before you head off for updates, as well as COVID-19 protocols such as face coverings and capacity limits.
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Alabama: Burnette Farms Market, Pelham
Beginning as vendors at Pepper Place market in Birmingham, the Burnettes decided to open Burnette Farms Market on their family farm so they could sell produce seven days a week. Expect flowers in spring and summer, pumpkins in fall and Christmas trees in December, plus all of your grocery needs, from thick-slice bacon and rib-eye steak to banana walnut bread and cinnamon rolls. The ice cream gets the highest praise from customers.
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Alaska: Everett's Acres Farm & Feed Store, Kenai
At this friendly farm store you can get amazing produce such as cabbage, carrots, beets, potatoes, sweet Walla Walla onions and garlic from local farms. Like rustic bread? Everett's stocks varieties such as jalapeño Cheddar, buckwheat and cardamom-raisin. It also sometimes has duck, turkey and goose eggs, plus nifty farm tools such as feeders, heaters and de-icers.
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Arizona: San Xavier Co-op Farm, Tucson
A co-operative farm with a focus on education and community development, San Xavier sells unusual local ingredients such as raw honey, mesquite flour and tepary beans (a type of legume). You can also pick up giant squash perfect for pies, as well as tasty lunch items like hummus, Sonora wheat crisps, salad with prickly pear vinaigrette and brownies.
Arkansas: Ranalli Farms, Springdale
Local punters love this brilliant roadside stop, which sells fresh honey, local elderberry jelly and moreish baked goods such as cookies and pecan pie. The farm has been owned by the Ranalli family since 1923 and also prides itself on its seasonal produce – think zucchini, broccoli, cabbage, beets, peppers, chestnuts, apples, tomatoes and squash. There's farm equipment and feed here if you need it too.
California: The Gnarly Carrot, North Fork
Reopened after the fires, The Gnarly Carrot is the farm shop at off-the-grid, self-sustaining Kern Family Farm in the Sierra National Forest. It’s known for having a great variety of stock including olive oil, spices, organic, holistic beef and pork, and amazing-tasting fresh produce. Customers also love that it has a juice and smoothie bar with options such as watermelon and mint or grape, cucumber and basil.
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Colorado: 7th Generation Farm, Louisville
Meat-lovers in Louisville should head to 7th Generation Farm to check out the fresh meat and produce on offer. At the store you can get beef chuck, flank, brisket, pork ribs, bacon, sausages and lamb chops, as well as ground bison and yak steaks. It’s open Friday and Saturday, and also sells duck and chicken eggs, raw honey, seasonal produce and decorations. There’s a CSA (Community Shared Agriculture) program if you’re interested in receiving products regularly, too.
Connecticut: Littel Acres Farm Market, Glastonbury
Customers adore friendly Littel Acres Farm Market tipping it as the best in Glastonbury. It offers all sorts of baked goodies such as chocolate chip pie, chocolate salted caramel cake, lemon meringue pie and blueberry strudel. It also specializes in orchard fruit and heirloom tomatoes which have been described as outstanding. Looking to plant in the garden? You'll find hanging baskets, bedding plants and perennials too.
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Delaware: Highland Orchards Farm Market, Wilmington
Many people’s go-to for fresh fruit and veg in Wilmington, the family-run Highland Orchards Farm Market offers all sorts of seasonal produce such as lettuce, tomatoes, scallions, herbs, chestnuts and pumpkins (you can sign up to its CSA program if you want monthly boxes). In store there are also eggs, preserves and baked goods such as apple cider donuts. See if you can spot the chickens, pigs and pony roaming the farm.
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Florida: Knaus Berry Farm, Homestead
The best cinnamon rolls in the world are said to come from Knaus Berry Farm. They’re hot, fresh and sticky, but – be warned – you'll probably have to line up for them. Other popular indulgences include the herb and cheese rolls, pecan rolls, cheesecakes, pies and milkshakes, and the shop also sells healthy, fresh produce such as beets, tomatoes, cilantro, mint and radishes. Don't forget your wallet or purse as the shop is cash only. It's due to reopen again in the fall.
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Georgia: Southern Belle Farm Market, McDonough
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Hawaii: Kula Country Farms, Kula
Stop by the Kula Country Farms store for fresh produce from the fourth-generation family farm and its neighbors. You can find strawberries, onions, blueberries, pumpkins, squash, zucchini, cucumber, herbs and flowers dependent on the season, as well as honey, jellies and baked goods such as cinnamon rolls, wholewheat bread and sweet bread. Some people say the trip is worth it for the view alone.
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Idaho: Wagner Farms, Meridian
The produce at the family-owned Wagner Farms store is described as beautiful and far superior to what you can get in the supermarket. It has a great selection of what’s in season, including squash, potatoes, garlic, peppers, plums, peaches and apples, plus a baked goods section featuring jalapeño cheese bread, rye bread, cookies and pies. The dairy section stocks eggs, milk, cream and delicious ice cream too.
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Illinois: Eckert's Country Store, Belleville
At Eckert’s Country Store at Belleville Farm, you can fulfil all your grocery needs with its bakery, deli, meat market, wine and fresh produce sections. It offers beef, pork, chicken, sausages and cured meats from local farms, plus fruit and veg grown on site. The apple cider donuts are not to be missed. And for those who don’t want to enter the store, curbside pick-up is available daily.
Indiana: Tyner Pond Farm Store, Greenfield
This little farm store in north Greenfield stocks antibiotic and hormone-free, pasture-raised beef, pork and chicken from local Tyner Pond Farm. Customers say the quality of the ground beef, steaks, brats, chorizo and whole chickens is top notch and the staff are friendly and helpful. Punters are also encouraged to visit the farm and check it out for themselves.
Iowa: Kroul Farms, Mount Vernon
Kroul Farms typically makes for a great day out and it’s also a decent spot for picking up fresh produce. As well as offering a CSA model, it has a farm store where you can get flowers, peppers, zucchini, beetroot, lettuce and all different types of melon, squash and tomato depending on the season. Meanwhile, firewood and eggs are available year-round.
Kansas: Cox Farm, Wichita
This family-owned farm shop has been supplying the local area with wonderful, fresh produce since 1926. Dependent on the season you’ll find peas, green onions, potatoes, sweet corn, tomatoes, cucumber, peppers, melon and gourds – and they don’t disappoint. You can also get homemade jelly, jam, salad dressings and honey.
Kentucky: Foxhollow Farm, Crestwood
Louisiana: Mahaffey Farms, Haughton
If you’re in the Haughton area, Mahaffey Farms is well worth a visit. Run by the McCommon family since 2012, it raises grass-fed beef and pasture-fed pork and chicken. In the shop you can get chicken backs and smoked link sausages – perfect for gumbo – ground beef, whole chickens and eggs. You can also stock up on local veg such as butternut squash, yellow squash, acorn squash, zucchini, turnip greens, radishes and tomatoes, plus dairy products and honey.
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Maine: Wild Grace Farm Store & Cafe, Liberty
This gorgeous country store on a family farm is stocked with goodies grown and produced here or delivered by its neighbors. You’ll find meat, dairy, fruit and veg, jellies, wine, beer, cider and mead, as well as a brilliant café overlooking the farm and lakes, which serves coffee, breakfast sandwiches, French toast, flatbread pizza and sweet treats.
Maryland: Butler’s Orchard, Germantown
There’s all sorts of great produce at the farm market at Butler’s Orchard from Honey Crisp, Granny Smith and Pink Lady apples to eggplant, mushrooms, hot peppers, herbs and lettuce. And when it comes to baked goods, there’s apple cider donuts, over 10 different pies and fresh bread in spring. Local meat and dairy are available too.
Massachusetts: Whittier Farms, Sutton
The Whittier Farms store has been called a savior for those avoiding large grocery stores due to the pandemic. It offers a decent selection of items for curbside pick-up and you can order three ways: by phone, online or at the walk-up window. The fruit, veg, beef and ready meals such as lasagna come from the farm. Meanwhile, the eggs, bread, milk and ice cream come from New England neighbors.
Michigan: Green Vale Farm, Coopersville
Everything bought from the shop at Green Vale Farm gets great reviews. Beef for stewing, sausages, spare ribs, pork chops, lamb roasts, chicken, honey, eggs and cheese curds are just a few of the things on offer. You can check social media for the latest updates or head instore for a chat – shop owner Heidi is said to be helpful and happy to answer questions.
Minnesota: Brand Farms, Farmington
There’s much to delight customers at the shop at Brand Farms, a family farm with an apple orchard and hens. It stocks apple varieties such as Honeycrisp, SnowSweet, Cortland and McIntosh, apple products such as apple brats, pies, chips, cider and donuts, and other bits such as salsa, honey and pickles. Eggs are available year-round and it also has a CSA program. Check the Facebook page for up-to-date opening hours and parking lot pickups.
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Mississippi: Home Place Pastures, Como
For those serious about ethical, pasture-raised meat in Mississippi, Home Place Pastures should be your go-to. It supplies some of the South’s best restaurants with its farm products and you can get your hands on them at its farm store at decent prices. Here you’ll find lamb shoulder for roasts, filet mignon, rib-eye steak, NY strip, beef short rib, kabobs and pastrami, as well as pork chops, pork belly and bacon. It also offers monthly subscription boxes.
Missouri: Thies Farm and Greenhouses, Saint Louis
Dubbed the best farm market in the St. Louis area, Thies Farm and Greenhouses grows over 50 varieties of fruit and veg so you can be sure it will stock something you fancy. The customer service is also great – if something has run out on the shelf, the venue has been known to send a member of staff into the field to pick it fresh. It also has preserves, jelly, butter, dressing, sauce and relish, and a second location in St. Charles for meat and baked goods.
Montana: Lifeline Creamery & Farm Store, Victor
People typically drive hundreds of miles to get meat from Lifeline Creamery & Farm Store, which offers cuts of organic, grass-fed beef and whey-fed pork reared in Montana's Bitterroot Valley. At the farm store you’ll also find handcrafted cheese, cultured butter and milk. The garlic cheese curds are said to be life changing and the Cheddar outstanding.
Nebraska: Wenninghoff’s Greenhouse, Omaha
Great produce and great prices is what Wenninghoff’s Greenhouse is known for. Its specialty is sweet corn and tomatoes, but you can get other fruit and veg, plus herbs, canned goods, pickles, honey, meat and dairy too. The family farm has been around since 1956 and has chickens and goats to see if you fancy a walk. It's open seasonally between April and October.
Nevada: Renner Farm, Smith
New Hampshire: Miles Smith Farm, Loudon
The meat from Miles Smith Farm comes highly recommended. It sells cuts of grass-fed beef, (including Delmonico steak, sirloin roast, back ribs, short ribs, beef sausage and marrow bones), as well as local lamb, pasture-raised pork, cheese, milk and ice cream. You can visit the store Wednesday to Saturday, though curbside pick-up is encouraged. Home delivery is available too.
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New Jersey: Matt's Farm Market & Garden Center, Belmar
New Mexico: Schwebach Farm, Moriarty
The go-to place for pinto beans, bolita beans and corn (they have sweet corn, chicos, yellow and blue corn, and heirloom popcorn), Schwebach is a family farm with a seasonal shop. Open Monday to Saturday during harvest (July to November), it stocks home-grown veg, local cheese, milk, yogurt, beef, lamb, jelly and salsa. The staff are also super friendly and helpful.
New York: Gade Farm, Guilderland
If you’re looking for garden-fresh produce in New York, Gade Farm’s market stand is the place. Open March until Christmas Eve seven days a week, the spot offers fruit and veg grown in its fields and greenhouses, homemade apple cider, donuts and fudge, plus local meat, eggs, dairy products, veg plants, herbs and trees. Customers are particularly impressed by the prices.
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North Carolina: Hickory Nut Gap Farm, Fairview
If you know where your meat has come from, it's probably going to taste better – a fact that’s true of the beef filets, ground beef, bacon, jerky and chicken from Hickory Nut Gap Farm. It stocks only grass and pasture-fed beef, pork and poultry from the family farm, as well as jam, jelly and honey. It’s currently open Thursday to Saturday for curbside pick-up.
North Dakota: Hildebrandt Farm, West Fargo
A third-generation family farm and greenhouse, Hildebrant Farm is loved by the local community. As well as running a CSA, the shop offers seasonal fruit, veg and flowers and has everything from melons, potatoes and pumpkins to asparagus, beans and cucumber, plus eggs, jellies, sauerkraut and honey. The staff are also super knowledgeable.
Ohio: Hershberger’s Farm & Bakery, Millersburg
A Holmes County favorite, Hershberger’s Farm & Bakery is an Amish business that has all of your groceries and sweet treats covered. It has baked goods such as bread, fry pies, apple fritters and muffins, plus canned goods, seasonal produce, meat, cheese and flowers. What’s more, the prices are said to be excellent.
Oklahoma: Joe’s Farm, Bixby
Visitors head to organic Joe’s Farm for its pick-your-own strawberries (and dig your own sweet potatoes in fall) and for its farm store. The shop offers a huge variety of fresh produce including poblano peppers, banana peppers, kohlrabi and red potatoes, and herb plants including dill and parsley, plus local meats, dairy and pantry products. You can also pay online and opt for no-contact pick up.
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Oregon: Rainshadow Organics, Sisters
The farm store at Rainshadow Organics stocks seasonal veggies, herbs, berries, pasture-raised beef, pork, chicken, turkey, eggs, flour and grain all produced on its organic farm. As well as pickles, cheese and artisan products from local vendors, customers say the honey and canned items are not to be missed and the wood-fired pizzas are delicious. Check here for spring opening times.
Pennsylvania: Maple Acres Farm, Plymouth Meeting
This year-round family farm dating back to 1916 always has something in season. You can find its produce in the onsite shop, which brims with heirloom tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, asparagus, basil, thyme and rosemary, as well as meat, dairy, eggs and preserves. Those who enjoy getting their hands dirty might like to have a go at blueberry picking.
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Rhode Island: Wishing Stone Farm, Little Compton
The good thing about Little Compton is it has a long fall growing season, so you can find broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, squash, potatoes, onions, carrots and turnips at the market at Wishing Stone Farm all winter. It’s open on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday and offers a limited selection of prepared foods too.
South Carolina: Fresh Future Farm, North Charleston
South Dakota: Cherry Rock Farm, Brandon
Cherry Rock Farm is an organic, non-GMO farm that has been in the same family since 1925. During harvest, produce is picked every morning and brought to the store so you’re buying the freshest stuff – customers will vouch for it. You can find beets, cauliflower, white cabbage, watermelons, muskmelon and cantaloupes to name a few things. It also stocks local meat products, raw honey and runs a CSA. Due to open in spring, check here for details.
Tennessee: Batey Farms, Murfreesboro
Texas: Boggy Creek Farm, Austin
A great year-round farm shop in Austin, Boggy Creek offers watermelon, cucumbers, habanero peppers and okra fresh from the fields, as well as baked goods such as tortillas, Texas French bread, pastries and gluten-free brownies. In the freezer, there’s a range of meat products including lamb, elk, bison, venison, beef and pork. It’s open Wednesday to Saturday but COVD-19 restrictions are in place.
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Utah: The Kinlands, Riverton
The Market Store at The Kinlands (formerly Petersen Family Farm) is open Friday and Saturday year-round and a has long been a favorite place to shop. Here you’ll find the usual suspects: fresh produce such as peaches, corn, basil and peppers, plus bread, eggs, dairy, grass-fed beef and pantry staples. However, there’s also seasonal delights and beautiful crafts from local businesses.
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Vermont: Scott Farm Orchard, Dummerston
If you’re baking an apple pie, Scott Farm Orchard is an essential place to visit. It grows 130 heirloom varieties which it stocks in its farm store as they ripen, plus quince, peaches, plums, pears, apricots, berries and pumpkin. At its farm market, you’ll also find meat, eggs, milk, Vermont-made cheese and sweet treats. Customers say it’s an enchanting experience and the staff are super helpful.
Virginia: Polyface Farm, Swoope
Customers rave about the high quality produce at Polyface Farm, calling it the best of the best. It’s no surprise as the beef, turkey, hens, rabbits and pigs here are raised on rotating pastures, so the land has time to heal and become maximally nutritious. The farm has been in the Salatin family since 1961 and welcomes customers to visit anytime. The shop is open Monday to Friday from March to November. From December to February it’s only open on Saturdays.
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Washington: Red Sky Orchards, Cle Elum
A legion of die-hard fans typically travel across Washington state to Cle Elum to get fresh produce from Red Sky Orchards. The multicolored sweet corn is said to be outrageously good, and the peaches the best around – you’ll also find honey, jelly and wine here. The store is reopening for spring on 15 May.
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West Virginia: Capon Crossing Farm Market, Wardensville
This sustainable beef farm is loved by all for its rustic shop, rolling hills and wonderful products. It’s open Friday to Monday year-round, so you can stop in to check out its grass-fed beef roasts, steaks, whole chickens, lamb, honey, eggs and veg. While there, peruse the dried herbs, mushrooms, jelly, pickle and sauce from local suppliers too.
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Wisconsin: Eugster’s Farm Market, Stoughton
While it's open from June through October, it's during fall at Eugster’s Farm Market when you can expect just-harvested tomatoes, strawberries, squash, Brussels sprouts, beets, carrots, apples and pumpkins. Plus, there’s always homemade jelly and pickle, local honey, baked goods, ice cream and local crafts. After Halloween, it closes shop, reopening mid-November with Christmas trees. It also runs a CSA during harvest season.
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Wyoming: Vertical Harvest, Jackson