2024 PCG Labor Day Spotlight: Mead Orchards
Since the first seeds of hope were planted in the PCG garden 10 years ago at St. John’s Episcopal Church, our mission has been to help end food insecurity in Westchester County, but we cannot do it alone. Over the years, PCG has established many wonderful partnerships with local farms who are remarkably generous with their donations. This has allowed us to not only grow, but also gather and share over 120,000 pounds of fresh produce with those in need in our community.
One of the farms that continues to support the work we do is Mead Orchards, based in Tivoli, NY. Mead is a local institution, owned and operated by the Mead family since 1917. But six years ago, when Chuck Mead was ready to retire, none of his kids or grandkids wanted to go into the fruit business. Here’s where things get interesting…
Meanwhile, down in Pleasantville, Scott and Caitlin Blasdell had been buying Mead’s apples, peaches, and blueberries for twenty years. “We literally raised our four boys on their fruit—and they’re all over six feet tall now.” When the couple heard that Mead might be for sale, they jumped at the chance to buy the beloved orchard.
While they are committed to keeping the Mead tradition of excellent, hand-picked and hand-sorted fruit, the new owners are also putting their own stamp on the 180 acre orchard. Scott has planted dozens of historic heirloom varieties: Calville Blanc, Baldwin, Arkansas Black, Northern Spy, Grimes Golden, and Roxbury Russet to name just a few. And Caitlin has been searching out the best partners to make jams, butters, and sauces from Mead’s amazing fruit.
And while the team at Mead loves bringing the fruit and vegetables to you at The Pleasantville Farmers Market, they also want to encourage everyone to come visit the farm during their fall Pick-Your-Own apple season up at the orchard. “It’s such a special place and we’re excited to be able to share it with as many people as possible.”
Caitlin also shared with us that this Labor Day weekend is when all of the fall fun begins at Mead! They will have a nine-acre corn maze, a sunflower maze that is new this year, hayrides, apple cider doughnuts, and food trucks. And, of course, they will have Apple Town, their historic play village for younger kids.
What a wonderful way to enjoy the end of summer while supporting the amazing work of a local family that does so much good for the community. Mead Orchards grows and shares over 2,000 pounds of fresh produce with PCG annually. We are deeply grateful to them for their generosity and efforts to help us end food insecurity.
But if you can’t make it this weekend, don’t worry: Mead’s Fall Pick-Your-Own season will run through the end of October! There are more details and images here on their website at www.meadorchards.com
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