eating fresh Bountiful produce brings good deals and tasty meals

0 Comments | The Virginian-Pilot and The Ledger-Star, Norfolk, VA, Jul 15, 2009

PRODUCE IS plentiful now, and several markets are offering bulk specials. It’s time to load up the freezer, make a little jam or put up some pickles to save a taste of summer to brighten the winter doldrums. Brookdale Farm in Virginia Beach and Chesapeake is selling “green bag specials” of six dozen ears of corn at a 10 percent discount through corn season. If you call (757) 721-0558 or e-mail brookdale.farm@cox.net by dark the evening before, your green bags will be ready and waiting for you to pick up. While you are there, sign up for e-mail newsletters to learn about other specials, recipes and more.

Beans, Corn and more

Oliver Farms Produce, on Longview Drive in Smithfield , has sweet yellow and white corn, butterbeans and crowder peas, which may be ordered ahead. Also look for tomatoes, cucumbers, cantaloupes and a variety of sweet peppers at the produce stand. Call ( 757) 255-4563 to order ahead and to check on hours and availability.

Check on bushel specials for snap beans and corn this week at Five Points Community Farm Market on Church Street in Norfolk. Order by Thursday morning, and they will be ready and waiting for you. Call (757) 640-0300 .

Fresh fruit

Blueberry bushes are full of plump, sweet berries. Drewry’s Farm at 541 Strawberry Lane in Wakefield is open for pick-your-own 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week. Call (757) 899-3636 .

Pick-your-own blueberries and blackberries are still bountiful at Pungo Blueberries Etc. on Muddy Creek Road in Virginia Beach.

If figs are your fruit of choice, call (757) 426-2576 and order your figs for jams, pickles or just plain good eating from the Swoope Farm at 1448 Gum Bridge Road in Virginia Beach. Figs from backyard bushes are coming in now, too, and you might find them for sale at any number of markets .

A new market

Governor’s Pointe Farmers Market at The Shoppes on the Village Green, at 1893 Governor’s Pointe Drive in Suffolk, is open from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Fridays in July. Full Quiver Farm will be there with pasture-raised chicken and pork as well as organic vegetables.

Recipe contest

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services wants Virginians to enter a contest featuring original recipes using locally grown, processed and produced products. Recipes will be posted on www.virginiagrown.com , where you also can find more contest details
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