Farm Stands/Picnic Rock Farms

Happy Gourmand · 08-15-2009, 09:01 AM

I know, I know, I'm probably going to catch some grief here, but I would like to know if anybody else agrees or disagrees with me.
I usually like to give as much business as possible to "locals" whether it be restaurants, hardware stores, and any other locally owned and operated endeavors. But......
We came up on Thursday for the start of another long weekend and decided to do our grocery shopping at one of the supermarkets in Gilford.....all but the fruits and vegetables which we agreed to get FRESH at Picnic Rock Farm stand in Meredith on Rte 3.
We stopped there on our way back from food shopping....looking forward especially to picking up some FRESH corn to go with our dinner. I went to the corn "bin" and was immediately disappointed that the corn generally looked terrible....and was priced at $ .65 per ear! I decided to take a look anyways, chose one and peeled the husk back th check it out only to discover a borer had chosen this ear before I did. I didn't check any others and put the borer laden ear aside so nobody else would buy it.
Now I know that corn borers like corn....it's not the first time I run into one, and this is not my main point....it is the $ .65 per ear that really got to me. Is it just me or is it reasonable to assume that I should be able to buy fresh produce or almost anything else "direct" from the grower? There is no middle man involved, and should not some part of the price reflect this?
If not price, then shouldn't quality be better from the source? We didn't find this to be true either and left disappointed, to say the least.
So there we were, trunk full of groceries sans fruit and veggies. We decided to go home and put the groceries away and go to the Hannafoed store in Meredith as it is more convenient for us than going back to Gilford.
Wow! Carolina corn for under $ .40 each...and they looked better than wha we had previously seen and they were tender and delicious.
The rest of the produce we got looked better and was priced well under what was being asked at Picnic Rock Farms.
Comments? Opinions? Was this just a bad day at the farm, or is my experience shared with others on this forum?

Argie's Wife · 08-15-2009, 09:04 AM

Considering the lousy weather we've had this summer, I'm surprised anyone has good produce.

Did you address your concerns about the quality of the corn with the owner/operator of the stand?

Jonas Pilot · 08-15-2009, 09:07 AM

I was thinking the same thing. I was wondering what they said when you brought it to their attention.

meredith weekender · 08-15-2009, 09:48 AM

We prefer to buy our produce from local farm stands as well. About two years ago we started going to Moulton Farms on route 25 instead of the closer Longridge. All I can say is that we will NOT go anywhere but to Moulton's. The quality is always great and the staff is helpful and friendly. A good thumbs up to Moulton Farm.

ironhorsetim · 08-15-2009, 09:53 AM

I went Thursday picked up 1/2 dozen @$.40 they were fat and very good no bugs, maybe just a bad day at the farm

SAMIAM · 08-15-2009, 12:25 PM

EM Heath has bi-color Canadian corn......sweet and delicious and only 12/$2.99. that's .25 each.They also carry lots of local fruit and produce.

Happy Gourmand · 08-15-2009, 01:15 PM

When we were in Moultonboro for 5 years, we always went to Heath's. I am of the opinion that is the best grocery store in this area. Great store, nice people, and fair prices. But now that we are in Meredith, Heath's is an inconvenient haul. What would be better then seeing a HEATH'S sign on the old Star Market location?
We used to also frequent Moulton farm...the additional cost above the grocery stores always seemed well worth it as the produce was always fresh and top quality.
I hope it was just a bad day at Picnic Rock Farm, as somebody mentioned, the local weather has not been particularly favorable for growing the best produce.

Winnigirl83 · 08-15-2009, 08:25 PM

Both last year and this year I haven't been impressed with quality of the corn at Picnic Rock. I agree with making the trek to Moutonborough Farms - especially knowing I'll be back in the fall to do the corn maze!

I do, however, recommend the "Fruit of the Farm" pie at Picnic Rock.

SIKSUKR · 08-18-2009, 01:13 PM

$.65 an ear is very expensive.I paid $.25 at Hannaford last night and at a Super Walmart in Epping the price was $.20.Probably would have worth the trip to Beans and Greens.

rrr · 08-18-2009, 05:48 PM

Last week I noticed a little sign next to the corn at the Hannaford in Alton - it says: Locally Grown - at Beans-n-Greens.

John A. Birdsall · 08-19-2009, 10:33 AM

Last sun I stopped at the farm market by shibleys and bought corn. .60 @ while what we ate was good, there was a lot of waste, and they were small. I also went to the Farm Stand next to Hannaford's in Alton, Nice lettuce, tomatoes, and all there veggies looked great. corn was larger and only .50 @

I must admit, that I do not shop for corn by price. When I feel like corn I like it fresh and sweet. so cost is a low factor for me, not that I am rich.
Season for fresh corn is all too short.

fatlazyless · 08-19-2009, 10:56 AM

12 ears corn/three dollars at Heath's in Center Harbor....which is 25 cemts each......very nice look'n corn, all things considered, but HAY it's been a rainy summer.

Speak'n of hay.....the local Centre Harbor hay field now being mowed looks like a shrunk and diminished hay bale crop......and I believe this mid August mow-job is the first mow of the year......which must make it a very late first mow.

donnamatrix · 08-20-2009, 03:40 PM

I don't mind paying a bit more at Moulton... their produce is awesome, cannot say enough good things about it. John Moulton is a great guy, a tremendous supporter of local charities, the farm is local, employs local folks (as well as non-local kids during peak high summer), they now have the most awesome fish counter, the bakery is to die for... even though I shop at both Hannaford & Heath for "groceries" ... when Moulton Farm is open it's another MUST DO on my list... I haven't even talked about the flowers and plants!!!

08-15-2009, 09:01 AM	#1
Happy Gourmand Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ruskin FL Posts: 1,027 Thanks: 188 Thanked 322 Times in 179 Posts	Farm Stands/Picnic Rock Farms I know, I know, I'm probably going to catch some grief here, but I would like to know if anybody else agrees or disagrees with me. I usually like to give as much business as possible to "locals" whether it be restaurants, hardware stores, and any other locally owned and operated endeavors. But...... We came up on Thursday for the start of another long weekend and decided to do our grocery shopping at one of the supermarkets in Gilford.....all but the fruits and vegetables which we agreed to get FRESH at Picnic Rock Farm stand in Meredith on Rte 3. We stopped there on our way back from food shopping....looking forward especially to picking up some FRESH corn to go with our dinner. I went to the corn "bin" and was immediately disappointed that the corn generally looked terrible....and was priced at $ .65 per ear! I decided to take a look anyways, chose one and peeled the husk back th check it out only to discover a borer had chosen this ear before I did. I didn't check any others and put the borer laden ear aside so nobody else would buy it. Now I know that corn borers like corn....it's not the first time I run into one, and this is not my main point....it is the $ .65 per ear that really got to me. Is it just me or is it reasonable to assume that I should be able to buy fresh produce or almost anything else "direct" from the grower? There is no middle man involved, and should not some part of the price reflect this? If not price, then shouldn't quality be better from the source? We didn't find this to be true either and left disappointed, to say the least. So there we were, trunk full of groceries sans fruit and veggies. We decided to go home and put the groceries away and go to the Hannafoed store in Meredith as it is more convenient for us than going back to Gilford. Wow! Carolina corn for under $ .40 each...and they looked better than wha we had previously seen and they were tender and delicious. The rest of the produce we got looked better and was priced well under what was being asked at Picnic Rock Farms. Comments? Opinions? Was this just a bad day at the farm, or is my experience shared with others on this forum?

08-15-2009, 09:53 AM	#5
ironhorsetim Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Laconia/Ft Myers Beach, Fl Posts: 184 Thanks: 57 Thanked 26 Times in 23 Posts	Difference a day makes I went Thursday picked up 1/2 dozen @$.40 they were fat and very good no bugs, maybe just a bad day at the farm __________________ "If common sense was common,everyone would have it" Ironhorsetim "Always do sober,what you say you'll do drunk, That will teach you to keep your mouth shut" Ernest Hemmingway

08-15-2009, 01:15 PM	#7
Happy Gourmand Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ruskin FL Posts: 1,027 Thanks: 188 Thanked 322 Times in 179 Posts	re: Heath's and Moulton Farm When we were in Moultonboro for 5 years, we always went to Heath's. I am of the opinion that is the best grocery store in this area. Great store, nice people, and fair prices. But now that we are in Meredith, Heath's is an inconvenient haul. What would be better then seeing a HEATH'S sign on the old Star Market location? We used to also frequent Moulton farm...the additional cost above the grocery stores always seemed well worth it as the produce was always fresh and top quality. I hope it was just a bad day at Picnic Rock Farm, as somebody mentioned, the local weather has not been particularly favorable for growing the best produce.

08-15-2009, 08:25 PM	#8
Winnigirl83 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 119 Thanks: 42 Thanked 30 Times in 12 Posts	Corn Quality Both last year and this year I haven't been impressed with quality of the corn at Picnic Rock. I agree with making the trek to Moutonborough Farms - especially knowing I'll be back in the fall to do the corn maze! I do, however, recommend the "Fruit of the Farm" pie at Picnic Rock.

08-18-2009, 01:13 PM	#9
SIKSUKR Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,075 Thanks: 215 Thanked 903 Times in 509 Posts	$.65 an ear is very expensive.I paid $.25 at Hannaford last night and at a Super Walmart in Epping the price was $.20.Probably would have worth the trip to Beans and Greens. __________________ SIKSUKR

08-15-2009, 09:04 AM	#2
Argie's Wife Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Alton Posts: 1,908 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 533 Thanked 579 Times in 260 Posts	Considering the lousy weather we've had this summer, I'm surprised anyone has good produce. Did you address your concerns about the quality of the corn with the owner/operator of the stand?

08-15-2009, 09:07 AM	#3
Jonas Pilot Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Wolfeboro, New Hampshire is my home, 24-7-365 Posts: 1,686 Thanks: 1,047 Thanked 336 Times in 189 Posts	I was thinking the same thing. I was wondering what they said when you brought it to their attention.

08-15-2009, 09:48 AM	#4
meredith weekender Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Meredith / Manchester Posts: 373 Thanks: 87 Thanked 84 Times in 57 Posts	We prefer to buy our produce from local farm stands as well. About two years ago we started going to Moulton Farms on route 25 instead of the closer Longridge. All I can say is that we will NOT go anywhere but to Moulton's. The quality is always great and the staff is helpful and friendly. A good thumbs up to Moulton Farm.

08-15-2009, 12:25 PM	#6
SAMIAM Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 2,915 Thanks: 338 Thanked 1,692 Times in 594 Posts	EM Heath has bi-color Canadian corn......sweet and delicious and only 12/$2.99. that's .25 each.They also carry lots of local fruit and produce.

08-18-2009, 05:48 PM	#10
rrr Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Winter Harbor Posts: 214 Thanks: 75 Thanked 37 Times in 14 Posts	Last week I noticed a little sign next to the corn at the Hannaford in Alton - it says: Locally Grown - at Beans-n-Greens.

08-19-2009, 10:33 AM	#11
John A. Birdsall Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Norwich, CT Posts: 599 Thanks: 27 Thanked 51 Times in 35 Posts	veggies Last sun I stopped at the farm market by shibleys and bought corn. .60 @ while what we ate was good, there was a lot of waste, and they were small. I also went to the Farm Stand next to Hannaford's in Alton, Nice lettuce, tomatoes, and all there veggies looked great. corn was larger and only .50 @ I must admit, that I do not shop for corn by price. When I feel like corn I like it fresh and sweet. so cost is a low factor for me, not that I am rich. Season for fresh corn is all too short.

08-19-2009, 10:56 AM	#12
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,814 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 301 Thanked 1,029 Times in 748 Posts	12 ears corn/three dollars at Heath's in Center Harbor....which is 25 cemts each......very nice look'n corn, all things considered, but HAY it's been a rainy summer. Speak'n of hay.....the local Centre Harbor hay field now being mowed looks like a shrunk and diminished hay bale crop......and I believe this mid August mow-job is the first mow of the year......which must make it a very late first mow. __________________ ... down and out, liv'n that Walmart side of the lake!

08-20-2009, 03:40 PM	#13
donnamatrix Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonboro Posts: 833 Thanks: 24 Thanked 258 Times in 120 Posts	Only at Moulton I don't mind paying a bit more at Moulton... their produce is awesome, cannot say enough good things about it. John Moulton is a great guy, a tremendous supporter of local charities, the farm is local, employs local folks (as well as non-local kids during peak high summer), they now have the most awesome fish counter, the bakery is to die for... even though I shop at both Hannaford & Heath for "groceries" ... when Moulton Farm is open it's another MUST DO on my list... I haven't even talked about the flowers and plants!!!