Why Pick Your Own? You may have heard about PYO which stands for pick your own fruits and vegetables. The pick-your-own movement is said to have developed during the Great Depression when innovative farmers sought to connect consumers directly with their products to reduce overhead for labor. Still, a popular activity today, getting outside in… Read More »

The More You Know, the More You Grow Peach trees produce ten times more blossoms than needed, so we use a method of manual thinning. Thinning down peach trees, like apples, is done to grow more significant fruit, that are tastier and more succulent. Our farm production manager, Craig Steely, will send production crews out… Read More »

New Jersey is native to many wonderful things, and did you know that Hammonton New Jersey is known as the blueberry capital of the world? In fact, New Jersey is ranked fifth in the top U.S. blueberry production by state, and folks can’t get enough of these sweet and tart superfoods. Blueberries are a commonly… Read More »

Have you visited our farm store lately? Most area farms close for the winter season, however, we stay open all year long to serve you. One of the main reasons our farm store is distinct and welcoming is due to the dedication of Stacy Wlodarick, Farm Market Manager, and Trish Cirelli, Assistant Retail Operations Manager.… Read More »

Hard Cider is apple cider that has been naturally fermented into alcohol and goes long back to our pioneer roots. Apples and hard cider have a long history, eventually making their way to New Jersey with the early settlers. Apples were primarily used in our region for cider and hard cider, (aka Apple Jack), as… Read More »

The Alstede Farms cider mill was started in 2015 and we are proudly going into our 8th year of pressing apples. Having a cider mill on an apple farm means that nothing goes to waste on this sustainable-focused, regenerative farm. The cider mill produces fresh apple cider using an antique rack and cloth press from… Read More »

Align closer to the season by making sure to keep your pantry stocked with essential items that make mealtime fun and easier. Our culinary and education specialist, Miss Jenn, has put together her top picks to help you cook with ease and obtain optimum nutrition this Winter. Basic essentials are items that you should have on… Read More »

Apples have a long history, eventually making their way to New Jersey with the early settlers. Apples were primarily used in our region for cider and hard cider, (aka Apple Jack), as this area provided the right climate for growing apples for the early settlers, more than growing wheat, barley, or hops. Apple production was… Read More »

Late summer and early fall brings one of the most iconic and beloved fruits of the season, apples! With over 50 different varieties, we have an apple flavor and profile to please everyone. Maybe you would prefer sweet mild Galas over a sharp tart Granny Smith, a zesty Winesap over a juicy McIntosh, now is… Read More »

Passover or Easter can be a traditional time for eating this delicious Jewish, and some say German, inspired baked casserole. Culinary Specialists say Kugel is basically a baked casserole that begins with a starch then with the addition of some eggs and fat turns into a yummy dish. Typically the starch is potato based for… Read More »

It’s Springtime which means you will begin to see pollinators buzzing around our farm. Pollinators are truly a farmer’s friend and so very vital to overall food production. Pollinators include bees, insects, birds and other small insects that move pollen from one plant to another. Pollen is the yellow dust that you see clinging to… Read More »

Mizuna is a highly nutritious green leafy cruciferous vegetable in the Brassica family, related to its cousins cabbage and broccoli. Low in calories, high in several important vitamins and minerals such as A, C, K & lutein, it is also an excellent source of antioxidants and flavonoids that are healthy for the body.  Mizuna  is… Read More »