Fruit Stands

[Alpha8472]

Does anyone shop at roadside fruit stands? How do they compare to supermarkets?

William Shatner recently left his wallet at a roadside fruit stand in Gilroy, California. The family that owns the stand was able to give the wallet to the police who were able to contact the actor's agent.

[HCal]

I don't "shop" there as such, but if I'm driving by and see one, I might pick something up. Often they have higher quality than supermarkets. Prices vary but you can get good deals on occasion.

[storewanderer]

Some of these fruit stands are quite good. Some are even self serve with the fruit out pre-bagged and a pail to dump money into. One actually had all the fruit sitting there and a price list and a cash box for you to open up and put the cash in and make your own change. Could not believe it. No cameras either. Yes this was in California. I've been going there for a few years, nothing has changed, though the owner looks like he may be getting tired.

[buckguy]

There are lots of different models for these---stands at actual farms, big and small and places that are more like small grocery stores, so it depends which kind you're talking about and you find different types in different places--the DC area has a lot of farmer's markets, so there are fewer of these nearby than in some other places. Upstate NY and parts of New England are quite rich in them as is the Cleveland area and its rural hinterland.

Pick your own farms often have these and the quality and pricing are usually good because what they sell is in season which means that the selection varies from week to week. Small orchards have seasonal stands usually in late summer/early fall---the value is usually good because it's in season, but you can find duds. My mother used to make jam and preserves and would use these places to fill-in what we or are neighbors didn't have, usually grapes and peaches and every year there would be something that didn't quite meet expectations. Other places are more like little grocery stores and may have baked goods and buy from a number of local growers or small scale producers--some things may be rather expensive esp. where "artisanal" food production has taken off but if you get away from college towns and metro areas, you can find less "artisanal" stuff that can be good value. I often get apples from one of the bigger orchard stores in Ohio and they are definitely a step up from the super market at a little bit less cost. Grapes were one of my best finds traveling in upstate NY last fall, along with maple syrup for a fraction of the super market price.

[Super S]

I sometimes go to the fruit stands when things are in season. One oddity I have noticed this year was a lack of Rainier cherries in the stores. Not a single store has had them yet. I found some at a local stand in the past week.

Corn is also typically better from these stands than it is in the stores, as are apples when in season.

[lake52]

One oddity I have noticed this year was a lack of Rainier cherries in the stores. Not a single store has had them yet.

Portland and Seattle had a very late/wet winter so they’re harvesting a little late this year. There aren’t as many as usual but you should start to see them show up shortly.

[bryceleinan]

One oddity I have noticed this year was a lack of Rainier cherries in the stores. Not a single store has had them yet.

Portland and Seattle had a very late/wet winter so they’re harvesting a little late this year. There aren’t as many as usual but you should start to see them show up shortly.

A couple of them near Newberg opened, but the selection was limited. Saw the Harry & David store in Medford (the only one remaining) has had a lot of issues with their peaches… they were only able to run the “peachapalooza” special one weekend instead of the entire month.

[storewanderer]

I was buying some Rainier Cherries at Smiths and Raleys in June/July. Prices were very high. A couple times I found some at 99 Cents Only (3.99/lb...). Never saw any at Safeway. I was surprised to find any at Smiths but saw them there multiple times/weeks. Usually stretched in the space that should house strawberries or other berries which would not be available space if the Smiths Utah warehouse could figure out how to quit sending the stores rotten berries that, in the case of the South Reno Smiths, the produce employees notice and refuse to put out, so often. Other Smiths just put the trash berries out anyway.

More recently I saw some at Smiths but they look like Rainier but are actually "Skyler Rae" cherries or something. They do not quite taste the same.

[CalItalian]

There's quite a few of them along 152 turning off towards Gilroy after Casa De Fruita. The prices are much lower than Bay Area markets. Quality is very good, too. You'll see many roadside signs with their specials. Avocados, corn, garlic featured by most when I drove up to San Jose in August. I drive this route a number of times every year.

There's also a number, not as many as along 152, along 76 between I-15 & Harrah's Southern California Casino Resort. One between I-15 & Pala Resort & Casino. The rest just before Casino Pauma & Harrah's. They're not as competitive as the ones near Gilroy on price but they do offer a good assortment and very good quality of local produce.

All of these are in farming areas - some right on the farms.