Where to Shop for Produce on the North Fork this Fall
With the cooler weather comes another growing season. The corn will keep giving through October, and the winter squash and melons will continue going strong until the hard frost sets in. As we transition from summer into fall, you may be wondering which farmstands are best for purchasing fall produce.
On the North Fork, there’s hardly a bad answer when it comes to farmstand hopping. But you can be strategic if you’re looking for something in particular in the produce department. From corn to squash to decorative flowers, we know which stands have what. We’ve curated the crème de la crème, when it comes to fall produce on the North Fork. Here’s the ultimate guide to reining in the fall haul.
Capture the last of the fall melons at Wesnofske Farms, in Peconic, a farm known for their superlative fruits. Wesnofske grows tomatoes, corn, squash, and other veggies, but they are a must-visit for some of the best end-of-season watermelons and cantaloupes, and September can be a great time to check in to see what’s still available. For more locally grown fruit, check out Wickham’s Fruit Farm, in Cutchogue, where late-season berries and apples are in season.
You can pick up all the corn and September tomatoes your heart can possibly desire at Sep’s Farm, in East Marion (Sep’s also has an online platform, which specifies which products are grown locally). Also in season in September and October: peppers, potatoes, summer and winter squash, broccoli and cauliflower, and the beginning of root vegetables. While you’re there, consider picking up a fresh pie, too, or some of the farmstand’s New York State-grown grass-fed beef, duck, or chicken.
On the way to the Cross Sound Ferry, in Orient, find Latham Farms, where you can meet all of your floral needs. In September, Latham’s dahlias are at their peak, so consider this the perfect time to purchase a bouquet of these stunning blooms for your home. The farmstand also sells preserved goods, fresh fruit (look for prune plums, September’s jewel), and vegetables, of course.
In Southold, KK The Farm is a biodynamic farm run by KK and Ira Hapsel. In September, you can find some of the North Fork’s finest tomatoes at KK, along with sunflowers and zinnias. It’s worth the stop for these three items alone. (The farm also sells homemade Bloody Mary kits, potatoes, mushrooms, beets, garlic, and more.)
Find some less traditional produce in Peconic, at Sang Lee Farms. This iconic farm has been growing Asian varieties for years, and it’s a go-to for produce that is not grown anywhere else on Long Island (daikon radish, Japanese sweet potato, fresh ginger, Korean moo radish, just to name a few). When it comes to cabbage, radish, and obscure root vegetables, this is the place to be. Sang Lee is also certified organic, and takes great care in managing the health of their farm. Come for the daikon, stay for the prepared foods, late-season tomato varieties, and even the sweet melons. Bon appétit.
