When it comes to preparing for the Summertime, there are a few activities in and around the New England area that never fail to truly get me into the seasonal spirit- and not all of them involve piling into the car for an impromptu beach day (although that’s definitely high up on the list.) Outdoor picnics, trips to local ice cream stands, cookouts/BBQs with friends and family and- of course- an afternoon of berry picking.
When sporadic rain showers delayed coastal plans this past weekend- I opted to stick close to home and make the best of things with a stop at Pie in the Sky Berry Farm in Northampton to do some DIY-berry shopping and stock up on fresh, organic strawberries while soaking up the occasional bursts of sunshine that would appear through the clouds at random.
Pie in the Sky is definitely off the beaten path and well hidden from any busy roadways or sidewalks, which makes it a perfect location to score a bounty of berries since it’s spacious and rarely overcrowded. At $5 a quart, you can get a ton of goods for your buck- although picking them is half the fun and worth every penny.
I found a heaping amount of of big, just-ripe strawberries while I was there that I’ve been snacking on all weekend and will no doubt use for some baking endeavors in the coming days ahead since I’m still working remotely for the next few weeks and have plenty of time to play around in the kitchen before I return to my office semi-full-time.
There are plenty of other, pick-your-own farm stands around the Pioneer Valley, of course- and I try to alternate between them every season to support local businesses as much as possible. This was actually my first visit to Pie in the Sky, but it certainly won’t be my last. The fruit was/is amazing and the staff were so helpful and friendly-even with the fickle weather and muddy ground.
And you couldn’t beat the beautiful views of the surrounding fields and hills of Northampton. I could have easily stayed there all afternoon if it hadn’t started raining again!
xo
Coffee & Chiffon 