Since 1967, Conte Farms has been giving residents of Tabernacle, to people from all over the tri-state area, the opportunity to pick their own fruits and vegetables. The Contes have found that people appreciate knowing where their food comes from and relish the opportunity to pick it themselves.
“It’s a big draw for people to come and pick their own fresh fruits and vegetables,” Larry Conte, who runs the farm along with his brother Joe, said. “And the kids always have a good time.”
Conte has been working on the farm his entire life. Originally owned by his parents, the 500-acre farm located on Flyat Road grows a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. Their facility acts as both a retail and pick-your-own operation.
“We have a little bit of everything for sale, all grown right here, sweet corn, lettuce, tomatoes,” Conte said.
The farm has transitioned from a place where people bought food in bulk to can and freeze to the mainly pick-your-own operation they are now.
“Throughout the spring and summer, people will come looking to pick fresh strawberries, blueberries and peaches. Come fall, apples and pumpkins will be what families are looking for,” Conte said.
An unusually cold and wet spring forced Conte to open later this year than usual. At one point in April, they had removed the heaters from their storage area only to put them back in a few days later.
“The weather was tough on us this spring,” Conte said. “With it being so much cooler, the crops people come to pick took a bit longer to ripen.”
Once the farm did open on June 1, there were crowds of people ready to welcome the establishment back as well as get a taste of summer.
People loaded up on the trailer for a ride out into the fields.
“A lot of our business is people who have been coming to this farm for years and years,” Conte said. “They bring their families or tell their friends. Word of mouth is the biggest source of our business.”
And if you are looking to stray from the healthy fruit and veggies options, Conte is more than happy to welcome you into the bakery where custard and arguably the best apple cider doughnuts are available.
“We pride ourselves on being a family run business, and with that we want to cater to the families coming to our farm,” Conte said.
The farm is open daily from 8 a.m. through 6 p.m. Call (609) 268 1010 for more information.
