Fifer Orchards Allows Consumers to Pick their Own Produce in Delaware

The community aspect is strong in the area and Fennemore says the neighbors help each other and support one another through the good and bad.

“We try our best to provide a clean, wholesome environment for our community to gather and celebrate the wonder of harvest time,” Fennemore says.

Fifer Orchards partners with other local farms and artisans to offer locally sources meats, eggs, cheeses, jams, ice creams, coffee, honey and other items to their customers. There are many family farms on Delmarva that provide a variety of safe and quality food for the community and each has its own unique attributes. Fifer Orchards prides itself in variety.

“Our farm is somewhat unique in the fact that we grow such a wide range of fresh fruits and vegetables.  We don’t have any crop insurance, so the diversification is a self insurance strategy that was instilled from ancestor and founder Charles Fifer when he witnessed many peach farmers having to close due to the devastating peach yellows disease in the early 1900’s.”

Fennemore says they are not afraid to make changes to their crop mix and listen to customer needs when they make planting decisions. The experience at Fifer isn’t just limited to customer purchases, they also have a U-Pick program.

A group picks strawberries through Fifer’s U-Pick experience. (Photo Credit: Fifer Orchards)

“You can’t get it any fresher than picking it yourself right from the plant or tree.  The flavors and nutrients are at their peak levels when you pick and eat in the same day.  The experience can be educational, enjoyable and delicious all at the same time,” Fennemore says.

Fifer Orchards extends their farm into the home. Fifer has a Delmarva Box Community Supported Agriculture program, an 18 week program in a direct partnership between the grower and the consumer. The program gives a weekly box of local, seasonal fruits and vegetables and hosts 14 pick up locations around Delmarva.

For more information on Fifer Orchards and how to sign up for their CSA program, visit http://www.fiferorchards.com/.