Apple-Picking at Fishkill Farms

City-Kid Review:

I love it! Can we go again?

What a joy.

How lucky are we to live in this vibrant city and, only an hour or so north, we can happily go fruit picking and get our picture-perfect country fix.

We first visited Fishkill Farms when we wanted to go apple picking and – me being me – wanted to find an eco-friendly or organic apple-picking place to do it. You may, or may not, be aware of the EWG ‘Clean Fifteen’ and ‘Dirty Dozen’ lists. EWG create a yearly shoppers guide to pesticides in produce. I have gratefully used them for years. And for years, do you know what was top of their ‘Dirty Dozen’ list?

Apples.

Yup. The humble apple.

That is non-organic apples, of course
(This year it’s strawberries. Apples are fourth, below spinach and nectarines)

So, Fishkill Farms has eco-friendly and organic apples.

Hundreds of them.

Tons of different varieties, and many of them just the right height for little hands to grab and pick.

Plus, they have a pumpkin patch. What could be better?

It’s a well-thought out operation, with fun farmy stuff for the kids, such as a hay maze, things like that.

It’s a great day out.

Fun Facts:
When researching this article, I discovered that the founder of Fishkill Farms became Secretary of the Treasury during FDR’s presidency.

FDR visited the farm frequently.

Also, in 1942 Winston Churchill came to visit Fishkill Farms. I wonder if he picked any apples.

Need to Knows:

Location: 9 Fishkill Farm Rd
Hopewell Junction, NY 12533
Map it here

Cost: Admission is $5 per person over 12. For PYO, you pay by weight.

Food: They serve food on the weekends. There is a barbecue stand with various standard American fare. The few times we have been there, there have been long lines for this stand. If you are a vegetarian (like me) I suggest bringing your own food. They do have a farm store, where they sell a variety of products, in particular apple-based products, including apple donuts. YUM!

Best of all, you can bring a blanket and lay it out for a picnic in the orchard.

They will provide bags and boxes for you.

Information correct at time of writing. 

Top-Tip

Bring bug spray and sunblock. And a hat.

You will be able to park close to the trees from which you would like to harvest. The further away from the main farm you drive, the more private you will be.

What is your favorite fruit-picking place? Please tell us about it in the comments section.

If you go, take a photo and tell us all about it on the CityKidAdventures facebook page! Here is the link.
Would love to see them.

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