This morning, the weather was one of those "could go either way" forecasts. It was warm enough out, but some concerning clouds were visible in the distance. We decided to try our luck and head out to Pardo's Berrie Farm located right here in Chatham-Kent!
We picked up Grandma Sandy and Quetzally (my niece, and Ryan's BFF, who is spending the first couple weeks of her summer vacation out at my parents farm) and took the short drive out.
Pardo's sells lots of local, fresh produce like strawberries, raspberries, green beans and peas. They even have a seasonal "pick your own" option for their berries, which is what we went with! Because the June season for strawberries had already come to an end, we were picking raspberries - my favourite!
The process is pretty simple; they escort you to your designated row, and you start at the numbered stool, picking as you go, and leaving the stool where you left off. You can bring your own plastic quart-sized baskets or, for a couple bucks, they will provide you with some of their cardboard take-away ones.
Fun Fact- my very first job was at the old Boley's Berry Farm. So, as a former professional in the biz (lol), I gave the girls a lesson in pickin' before we got started. They were quick learners and kept repeating "the redder, the better" as they scowered the bushes to fill their quarts.
Occasionally, a berry or two would be sacrificed for quality control purposes.
The girls did great for their first pick of the season, filling 3 quarts all by themselves with (mostly) ripe berries.
*^ please note the quality control about to happen in the photo above.
My mom and I added another quart each before calling it a day. It was great to walk the rows with my her as she explained all of the delicious things she was going to make with with her berries. She went on, kind of like Bubba in Forrest Gump, but replacing "shrimp" with "raspberry". I hope at least one person gets this reference.
It just started to spit as we walked up to pay for our picks. Talk about perfect timing!
*she may reside in the big city, but this girl is country at heart!
Berry picking was a fun, inexpensive, educational and active way to spend our morning, and a wonderful reminder of why I love to call Chatham-Kent home. It's also a great activity for all ages.
...seriously, ALL ages!
Pardo's is just one of the many fresh produce markets that exist here in Chatham-Kent. After all, We Grow For The World.
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