Fill up on summer flavors at VonThun Farms

Fresh, juicy, local fruits and and vegetables, especially favorites like strawberries, corn and tomatoes, are quite literally the taste of summer. You’ll find all the best the Garden State has to offer, from the first strawberries of the year to pumpkins and apples in the fall, at VonThun Farms.

Stop in the VonThun Farm Market to sample the season’s best produce, purchase starts or flowers for your own garden, or to stock up on local honey, farm fresh eggs, and VonThun jams, jellies and dressings. The greenhouse opened May 1, and the full farmstand will be up and running in early June, complete with farm animals for the kids to visit.

In addition to the farm market, VonThun Farms sells produce at the Highland Park, Ridgewood, Montgomery and Metuchen farmers markets. “All the summer favorites are available at our farmers markets all summer long,” says Bob VonThun. In the fall, the farm offers hayrides and a corn maze to get into the harvest spirit.

VonThun Farms is also a great place to pick your own fruit this summer. “Strawberry season approaching,” says VonThun. “They’re sweet as the dickens, and when you get them you should plan on using them in a couple days, they don’t last a long time. In fact, they’re so good that sometimes they don’t even last all the way home.”

Picking your own fruit isn’t just a great way to save, it’s also a fun family activity that will help kids learn more about how the foods they love are grown. VonThun Farms starts the season with strawberries, moving on the blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, apples and pumpkins, as well as selected vegetables during the summer. VonThun recommends calling ahead before a U-Pick visit, as the state of the fields can change daily, depending on weather and how many other berry lovers have visited recently.

Don’t miss the Strawberry Festival June 3-4 from 10 am-4 pm. For directions, hours and special events, visit www.vonthunfarms.com or call (732) 329-8656.