Few fruits are sought after more by Lancaster County locals than homegrown peaches. From simply eating them as a snack to adding them to a favorite peach pie recipe, peach season is worth looking forward to.
When the sweltering heat of the summer sun is sweeping across Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the budding of spring has entirely given way to the full-fledged lush green landscape of the wooded rolling hills and country farmland. It is the time of year when the fresh produce that has been developing from seedlings to saplings to full-grown plants has finally made its way from the fields into the farm market.
While Lancaster County-grown sweet corn and fruits such as watermelon and cantaloupe steal the spotlight in the early summer months, the anticipation of peaches is exciting for those who crave the sweet fruit and wait patiently for its season to arrive by the end of July.
Taking advantage of the influx of fruits and veggies Lancaster County is known for, representatives of local farm markets and roadside stands make their way to the auctions, where “homegrown” and “fresh” become the focal point of buyers looking to provide only the best to their customers.
As August nears, the first peaches rapidly begin to be the subject of the auctioneer’s quick-talking and fast selling at produce auctions such as the Weaverland Auction in New Holland, PA. Located only a few miles from Shady Maple Farm Market, this auction affords the store easy access to the best crops Lancaster County offers.
Lin Weaver, son of the Shady Maple founders and, although now CEO and co-owner of Shady Maple Companies, still hops into the Shady Maple-branded tractor-trailer truck and often drives to these auctions himself. The plethora of vegetables and fruits newly imported from local farms are inspected by him personally to ensure they are of the highest quality, before purchasing them for sale in the farm market.
“We are just starting in our Lancaster County homegrown peach season,” he noted, “It will be a bumper crop, sweetest and juiciest ever.”
With the local peach season just beginning, he is optimistic they can look forward to an entire season of fresh and juicy peaches. For the consumer, buying locally sourced goods has numerous benefits. Not least, these homegrown peaches are picked ripe and, therefore, provide a tastier experience.
“Buying local is fresher, often sold the same day it is picked,” Lin added. “Any fresher and it would still be in the field!
Once the produce is loaded on the back of the truck and Lin makes his way back to Shady Maple Farm Market, no time is wasted before the peaches are unloaded and placed out into the store for customers to purchase and enjoy. Not only are homegrown peaches delicious, but buying from local farmers helps benefit the community as well as allows Shady Maple to offer this tasty fruit at a low price.
Check out our weekly ad for sales on seasonal produce!
The coveted freestone peaches do not hit the shelves until later in the season, but customers can enjoy snacking on early varieties such as Flaming Fury, EarliGlo, Sentry, and John Boy. The customer-favorite variety, Red Haven, will be available a few weeks into August.
While a fresh peach is a snacker’s delight, there are plenty of other uses for peaches in the kitchen. Try our recipe below!
Shady Maple Smorgasbord Peach Pie Recipe
Ingredients:
– 1 pack (3 oz) peach Jello
– 3-4 fresh peaches, sliced
– 2 tablespoons cornstarch
– Premade pie shell
– Water
– Whipped topping
Instructions:
- Bake the crust for 10 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Prepare the peach Jello with water as directed on the packet. Let it boil and thicken up, then allow it to cool.
- Toss the freshly sliced peaches in with the cooled peach Jello mixture.
- Put the peaches in a pie shell.
- Decorate the pie with whipped topping.
- Enjoy your peach pie!
Other Lancaster County-grown produce available in July:
Green Peppers
Bunched Red Beets
Eggplant
Nappa Cabbage
Red Cabbage
Green Cabbage
Sweet Corn
Cantaloupes
Watermelon
Onions
Tomatoes
Zucchini and yellow squash
Eggplant
