Old-Fashioned Fall Fun at The Big Apple Farm in Wrentham, MA

Article and photo by Eric H.

The Big Apple Farm, located in the tiny Sheldonville section of Wrentham, MA, serves as an old-fashioned working American farm in business since 1950 and a rural community travel attraction on over 200 serene acres.

We consider The Big Apple Farm the best local farm in the southwest Boston suburbs, a salt-of-the-earth destination that favors authenticity over tourist trap cheesiness. For starters, there's seasonal fruit picking, including apples in the fall (all picked over for the 2008 season, unfortunately), raspberry picking in July and blueberry picking in July and August. For those looking for something a bit more sweet, the Big Apple Farm's bakery and donut-making facility turns out some fantastic baked goods, most notably the cider donuts, hand-dipped candy and caramel apples, apple crisp, blueberry muffins and homemade pies (including blueberry, strawberry rhubarb, pumpkin and Boston cream). There's even an ice cream stand with a cozy, adjacent indoor porch overlooking the peaceful Big Apple fields. The 20-plus flavors of ice cream -- courtesy of the local, legendary Richardson's of Middletown, MA -- includes current special "fall" flavors like apple crisp and pumpkin!

The produce section can be limited, depending on crop abundance and the time of the day, but what The Big Apple offers is fresh-from-the-field fruits and vegetables that put supermarket produce to shame. We've tasted some wonderful cucumbers, green peppers, onions, cauliflower, lettuce, tomatoes, zucchini, corn, eggplant, raspberries and blueberries. The list of fruits and veggies goes way beyond what we've sampled, however with 28 types of vegetables and 24 varieties of apples. It's a virtual wonderland for those in search of local produce, but we recommend calling for current inventory before traveling to the Big Apple. The farm stand also features locally produced honey, maple syrup, fudge, Vermont cheese, candies, jams, jellies and preserves.

The apple grader is a fascinating Big Apple attraction. Visitors can view the whole process on a platform overlooking the machines sorting the apples by weight onto bagging tables. The apples then land in a washing machine, and through a conveyor belt leading to a dryer, and a polisher. The apples then drop into cups that end up in the appropriate grading table that is in their weight range. Workers then sort the apples by "firsts" and "seconds," then into bags, and onto the farm stand shelves.

Current fall events at The Big Apple include hayrides, and a well-developed pumpkin patch. It's a beautiful time of the year to visit the Big Apple as each visit seems like the prototype of what an autumn local farm visit should be like -- a friendly, inviting place with the sweet smell of apples in the air, seasonal events, local foods, and nice countryside with foliage.

New York City might be famous as "The Big Apple," but in our New England neck of the woods, the Big Apple Farm satisfies us just fine!

The Big Apple
207 Arnold St
Wrentham, Ma
Tel. 508-384-3055

Comments

Becky said…
Hey, thanks for stopping by my blog. My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed Maine, though we didn't spend very much time in Augusta. We passed through it on a driving tour of the Southwestern part of the state. It's very beautiful there, that's for sure!
October 20, 2008 at 10:59 AM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Good Eeeevening!: A Perspective on New Hampshire Meteorologist Al Kaprielian

Article by Eric H., at VisitingNewEngland.com Somewhere in the 1980s, my esteemed Arlington High School journalism teacher Len Tammaro tipped me off about a New Hampshire television weatherman that he called "Crazy Al Kaprielian." That night, I couldn't believe what I saw: this nerdy-looking guy with a high-pitched voice flailing his arms all over the weather map, contorting his face in every direction, and squealing, "Good Eeeevening!" and "HIGH PRESSURE!" (his future trademark phrases)." All that boundless energy and the myriad antics left the viewer laughing, yet enervated at the same time. In this world of slick, Ken and Barbie television meteorologists, Al Kaprielian has been the antidote to the standard, unctuous television personality. Twenty-five years later, Al is still going strong on MyTV New England with his unique style --perhaps validation that he really loves his job. No doubt, Al has always been an unconventional, unique-looking a
Read more

Visiting My Grandmother Had That Antiques in Wrentham, Mass.

Image
My Grandmother Had That...Antiques  in Wrentham, Mass., is one of those "hidden gem" antique stores that is jam-packed with antiques, collectibles and other items from the past. Located in a charming, two-story old red barn at 446 South St. (Route 1A), My Grandmother Had That...Antiques certainly lives up to its name. You'll find furniture, lamps, desks, chairs, plant holders, fine China sets and just about everything your grandma had, and also didn't have -- like a web address, Facebook fan page or any hint on the Internet that this place exists! Unless you're a Wrentham native, one familiar with the antiques industry, have driven by the red barn on South St., or somebody that just reads maps of Wrentham all day, My Grandmother Had That...Antiques is as hard to find as the rarest antique. You won't even find the name, "My Grandmother Had That," on the building, just a sign that states "Antiques." The My Grandmother Had That name is on
Read more

Where To Live In Connecticut That Has A Small Town Feel?

Image
Noank, Conn. Editor's note: We recently received an email from one of our readers looking to possibly move to Connecticut. Here is her inquiry, followed by our response... Hi, my name is Courtney and I found your website completely truthful and helpful. I talked to my cousin who lives in the northern part of the east coast and she described exactly what you did! I am currently in Orange County, California, and don't like the "ingenuinity" (we're assuming the word is"disingenuous") and mindset of the people. I have found that Connecticut is a place with great weather and has a lot if cities with a small town feel. I was wondering if there was any way that you could help me specify my search in CT? I would like a city with a small town feel where your neighbors are sweet, but it still has a high quality of life. Essex and Stonington caught my eye, but I've never been so I can't say! Thank you for your time. Thank-you for your inquiry. We d
Read more