It's time for the farm stands and more farmers' markets to open, which are enjoyable by themselves. But the RI Fruit Growers Association has created a scavenger hunt to juice things up even more. There's a gameboard with photos to identify. Some special prizes will be awarded to the first people who enter their completed boards. And while you are out at the farm stands, you can pick your own strawberries or other fruit as they ripen. The strawberry plants in my yard are now setting yellowish fruits, and soon they'll be ready for munching. I'm sure the farmers will have fresh strawberries soon.
Wondering how to find out when fruit is available for picking? The RI Fruit Growers Association website has a list of the fruit-growing farms with detailed info about what's grown where and when it's ripe. Click on the links to the fruit growers' own websites for more details. Call ahead if in doubt about open hours and what's in season.
Farm Fresh RI also has an updated list of what is in season and where you can Pick Your Own fruit as well as vegetables. The RI Harvest Calendar is a good place to begin, and you can find more details through the links on the great Farm Fresh RI website.
For instance, today, May 20, on the Farm Fresh RI home page, the following are "What's in Season:"
Edible flowers • Lavender • Lemon Verbena • Sliced + Diced Veggies • Sprouts • full Harvest Calendar...
For details about the Scavenger Hunt, see the Providence Journal 7 to 7 blog post of May 13: Game boards available for scavenger hunt at RI fruit farms. Especially note:
"Organizers urge that families check a farm's operating hours before visiting. Addresses, phone numbers and websites of participating farms are listed on the brochure and in the list of farm stands on the Fruit Growers Association website."
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