Fruit Share

About our 2011 Apple Share Program

Newton Community Farm is pleased to offer a weekly apple share in conjunction with Autumn Hills Orchard in Groton, MA. Each weekly share consists of an approximately 5 pound bag of apples (though occasionally may also include pears, plums, grapes, or peaches). As with all things agricultural, what is available is highly dependent on the particular growing conditions of each season.

Apple Shares cost $70.00 and run for 9 weeks from the last week in August until the end of October. Shares should be picked up at Newton Community Farm on Wednesdays between 2 and 7 pm in the lower level of the barn. Fruit will be held until 7pm Thursday, but will not be refrigerated. After Thursday evening unclaimed shares will be forfeited.

Note on growing methods: Autumn Hills Orchard is not organic. They use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to control insects and diseases. IPM seeks to reduce the frequency and amount of spraying by vigilant scouting so that pests can be sprayed at the moment in their life cycle when they are most vulnerable. IPM also seeks to “control damage” rather than eradicate pests, allowing them to use less sprays. IPM can dramatically reduce the amount of spraying required to grow high quality fruit in a climate like New England. This method reduces the harm caused by many sprays to the environment, orchard workers, beneficial insects, and the end consumer. It should not, however, be confused with organic.

Sign me up!

Enrollment is closed for 2011.  Check back in August 2012 for information about the Fall 2012 fruit share program.