The Berries are Ready!
Pick-your-own strawberries are ready! The fields opened on Friday, June 19, with the restrictions noted below. We want everyone to have a safe experience while enjoying the all-too-short season and way-too-few berries we’ve been patiently waiting to ripen. The sunny June weather has ripened a delicious crop this year!
As part of your CSA farm share at ICF, you may pick some of these dainties. The Vermont Agency of Agriculture developed protocols for pick-your-own during the Covid-19 pandemic; this is how PYO will work at Intervale Community Farm.
1. You may come to ICF to pick your strawberries any time other than Mondays 12:00-8:00pm, or Thursdays, 12:00-8:00pm.
2. You may pick berries once per week. We expect to have strawberries for about 2 weeks, though the first week is usually better picking. If you come at unusual times you will usually have an easier time finding berries and be less likely to run into others.
3. Please use good parking behavior, staying within the marked lines, as you would during your Monday or Thursday pick-up.
4. Before you head for the field, please wash your hands at one of the sinks. We also have a hand sanitizer station at the strawberry field.
5. You will find the quantities you may pick on the chalkboard where you enter the pick-up shelter. Quantities may fall or rise every few days, but we expect small shares will initially be allowed to pick 1-2 quarts. Please remember that if you share a share or split a share, you must divide your pick-your-own as well.
6. As appropriate, quart or pint containers will be out on the pick-up tables in the pick-up shelter.
7. Based on the size of our berry patch, up to 50 people may pick in the field at a time, while maintaining at least 6’ between people.
8. Do not sample or eat berries as you pick. While this is agonizing and unfortunate, eating and touching one’s face are higher-risk activities than most other outdoor pursuits.
9. Wear a mask while you pick, as we anticipate times when a goodly number of people may be picking at the same time. This will also help with #8.
10. Enjoy the strawberries! We have a really nice crop this year and hope that you enjoy them