Best Local Farm Stands
Fresh produce at Ox Hollow Farm's farm stand located on Bantam Road in Bantam.
The height of summer means the height of fresh produce in Connecticut. Connecticut boasts over 100 farmers markets, certified farm stands, and mobile markets selling fresh produce, and that’s not counting the many pop-up roadside stands stocked with goodies grown by avid gardeners and backyard farmers. Whether it’s sweet corn, tomatoes, squash or other nutritious delights, here are a handful of my favorite local farm stands.
Ox Hollow Farm (Bantam & Woodbury)
Known for its pasture-raised beef, pork, and poultry, you can also find fresh produce, eggs, and selection of Ronnybrook Farm’s Creamline dairy products at its farm stands located at 1474 Bantam Road (Route 202) across from Mount Tom Pond in Bantam and 478 Good Hill Road in Woodbury. Ox Hollow Farm offers a CSA, or Community Supported Agriculture program, as well as a pre-paid membership savings card.
Kimberly Farm (New Milford)
Who doesn’t love a visit to Kimberly Farm on 415 Chestnut Land Road (Route 109) in New Milford for some ice cream and to see Kate, a giant fiberglass cow that is a replica of the first Ayrshire cow owned by the Kimberly family? (Well, I can think of someone — my dog Maisy.) While at the farm stand you can pick up fresh, seasonal produce, eggs, baked goods, jams, honey, and maple syrup. In addition to their handmade ice cream, Kimberly Farm’s dairy is replete with milk, yogurt, cheese, and seasonal specialty drinks, such as strawberry milk in the summer and eggnog in the winter.
Maple Bank Farm (Roxbury)
Dating back to 1730, Maple Bank Farm at 57 Church Street (Route 317) in Roxbury is one of the oldest family-run farms in the United States. At the farmstand you can find fresh produce, flowers, herbs, and wool from their resident sheep. You can also pick your own apples in the fall and blueberries in the summer.
March Farm (Bethlehem)
A fourth-generation family farm located at 160 Munger Lane in Bethlehem, March Farm is known for its fresh and abundant produce, baked goods, jams & jellies, and pick-your-own blueberries, peaches, apples, and pumpkins. They also offer a CSA, or Community Supported Agriculture program, mid-June to mid-September. Autumn is not autumn for me without the crunch of a Macoun apple from March Farm.
Young’s Longrange Farm (Watertown)
A fourth-generation farm located at 702 Woodbury Road (Route 6) in Watertown, Young’s Farm is known for its beef, pork, and chicken, eggs, and seasonal produce.
Towne’s Farm (Morris) and Logue Farms (Woodbury)
In search of the basics like sweet corn and fresh produce? Towne’s Farm on 68 West Street (Route 109) in Morris and Logue Farm—a fourth generation dairy farm with a roadside stand offering sweet corn and produce at 124 Quassapaug Road in Woodbury—can’t be beat.
