Fruit Shares

2024 Fruit Share Program – Sold Out

Program:  Newton Community Farm is pleased to offer a weekly fruit share in conjunction with Autumn Hills Orchard in Groton, MA. Each weekly share consists of a 4–5 pound (approximate) bag of apples and other fruits.  Autumn Hills is reporting their crops are looking great and there should be a variety of stone fruits (peaches, plums, nectarines, etc.) as well.  As with all things agricultural, what is available is highly dependent on the particular growing conditions.

Registration Deadline: August 20, 2024

Cost:  $110 per share (one bag each week for eight weeks).

Duration:  Eight pickups, beginning August 28, 2024 and ending October 18, 2024.

Pickups:  Share distributions should be picked up at Newton Community Farm at the white tent near the barn each week during the program on Wednesdays or Thursdays between 2 and 7 pm. Fruit will be held until 7 pm Thursday, after which time unclaimed shares will be donated.

Growing Methods: Autumn Hills Orchard uses Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to control insects and diseases. It is not organic. 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 growers to spray less. 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.

About Autumn Hills Orchard: Autumn Hills Orchard is a working farm in historic Groton, Massachusetts about 45 miles northwest of Newton. The farm produces more than 25 varieties of apples, peaches, pears, plums, grapes, and raspberries. For more than ten years, Autumn Hills has partnered with local CSA programs to provide weekly shares in the late summer through the fall. Share contents vary by week over the season but are primarily apples with other fruit varieties based on availability. The fruit varieties may include Concord grapes, peaches, nectarines, Italian plums, Bartlett pears, and Bosc pears. Apple varieties may include: Ginger Gold, Paula Red, Gala, Gravenstein, Honeycrisp, Macintosh, Cortland, Empire, Cox Orange Pippin, Spencer, Mutsu, Golden Delicious, Macoun, Newtown Pippin, Rhode Island Greening, Golden Russet, SpiGold, Suncrisp, Pink Lady, Ida Red, and Northern Spy.