The Hudson Valley is known for its abundance of fertile farmland and contains lots of great farms, orchards, vineyards and therefore, inevitably, wonderful, fresh produce. Many high end culinary establishments in New York City looking for the freshest produce (be it fruits, veggies or cuts of meat) to build their menus upon will source ingredients from right here in Ulster County and the rest of the Hudson Valley alike. That being said, you don’t need to be a restaurateur to score some of the area’s best and freshest produce, meats, eggs, ciders, ales and wines. Much of the best of the Hudson Valley stays right here in the heart of the community for local consumption and while some of these products are probably offered at your local supermarket, the best way to attain them is to go straight to the source- to the farm itself!
While there are plenty of local supermarkets to shop at, many Ulster County residents choose to source their food from more sustainable avenues, especially those that also support the farms in the heart of their community and here in Ulster, it’s entirely possible to get all your weekly groceries without stepping foot in a traditional supermarket. Between the farm stands, farmer’s markets, CSA programs, and food co-ops, there’s always a spot to grab your locally grown favorites.
Farm stands and farmers markets are a main highlight of summer and fall in Ulster County and our surrounding communities. Locals get excited when their favorite farm stand opens for the season, offering their most adored seasonal delicacies, and in the fall visitors will pour in from all over the state and surrounding areas, sometime by the bus-full, to get their chance to pick-their-own apples and spend the day at a farm. So, with this kind of dedication and demand, why soley shop at a chain grocer when the best, freshest produce can be found right around the corner, fresh picked from a field that morning? Farms around here offer much more than just fruits and veggies- you can plan an entire meal, even down to the accompanying wine or brew, with your findings from local Ulster County farm markets and, for the ambitious, you can even start your own farmstead with local seedlings, perennial plants and more. If you’re a self proclaimed foodie or have always dreamed of starting your own personal farm, then there aren’t too many better places to stick roots than in Ulster County.
Here’s a peek at just some of the most popular places in Ulster County where you can get your hands on fresh, seasonal produce and so much more…
Farms & Farm Stands
Apple Bin Farm Market
810 Broadway, Ulster Park, NY 12487
Offering: apples, vegetables, nursery items and more
Applestone Meat Co.
4737 Route 209, Accord, NY
Offering: Beef, lamb, pork, sausages, hot dogs and 24 hr vending machine with fresh cuts available at any time
Arrowood Farms
236 Lower Whitfield Rd, Accord NY
Offering: Hops,beer, duck eggs, duck meat, brewery and tasting room
Big Little Farm
205 Hidden Valley Road, Kingston, NY
Offering: Organic Vegetables, also has CSA program (see below for more details)
Bradley Farm
371 Springtown Road, New Paltz, NY
Offering: Vegetables, herbs, pickles, pork, eggs, honey and more
Damn Good Honey Farm
150 Hilltop Terrace, Kingston, NY
Offering: Vegetables, honey and beekeeping education
Davenport Farms
3411 Route 209, Stone Ridge, NY
Offering: A variety of vegetables, fruit, nursery items, Twilight Acres beef from Stone Ridge and lots more
Dubois Farms 
209 Perkinsville Road, Highland, NY
Offering: Fruits, tomatoes, pumpkins, apples and more
Farmers Table Farm Rail Trail Cafe
344 River Rd Extension, New Paltz, NY
www.railtrailcaferosendale.com
Offering: Micro-greens, vegetables and herbs
Hudson Valley Farm Hub
2124 Route 209, Hurley, NY
Offering: Vegetables and corn
Hurds Family Farm
2187 Route 32, Modena, NY
Offering: Apples, pumpkins and more
Kelder's Farm
5755 Route 209, Kerhonkson, NY
Offering: Fruits, vegetables, flowers, and more. Kelders also runs their own CSA.
Little Egg Farm
54 Pine Bush Road, Stone Ridge, NY
www.thelittleeggfarm.blogspot.com
Offering: Greens, fruits and limited eggs, flowers and grains
Lyonsville Sugarhouse
591 County Route 2, Accord, NY
Offering: Maple products
Maynard Farms
326 River Road, Ulster Park, NY
Offering: Apples and more
Migliorelli Farm
5150 Route 28, Mount Tremper &
Corner of Rte 199 and River Road, Rhinebeck, NY (Just over the river from Kingston in Dutchess County)
Offering: Organic fruits, vegetables and more.
Montgomery Place Orchards
4330 Route 9G, Red Hook, NY (Just over the river from Kingston in Dutchess County)
Offering: Fruits, vegetables and soon will offer cider under Annandale Cidery
Mr. Apples
25 Orchard Street, High Falls, NY
Offering: Apples
Prospect Hill Orchards
340 Milton Turnpike, Milton, NY
Offering: Fruits, apples, pumpkins and more
Rusty Plough Farm
331 Dowe Road, Ellenville, NY
Offering: Organic fruits, vegetables, herbs, flowers, eggs and honey
Saunderskill Farm Market
5100 Route 209, Accord, NY
Offering: Sweet corn, vegetables, fruits and more
Standing Rock Farm
4480 Route 209, Stone Ridge, NY
Offering: Grass Fed Beef and Free Range Eggs
Stone Ridge Orchard
3012 Route 213, Stone Ridge, NY
Offering: Apples, strawberries and other fruit
Stone Ridge Vineyard
3050 Route 209, Kingston, NY
Offering: wines, grape products
Sugarbrook Maple Farm
351 Samsonville Road, Kerhonkson, NY
Offering: Maple products and Christmas trees
Tantillo's Farm Market
730 Route 208, Gardiner, NY
Offering: Fruits, vegetables, apples and more
Tremper Hill Farms
Route 28, Mount Tremper, NY
https://www.facebook.com/Tremper-Hill-Farms-102570993425718/
Offering: Fruits, vegetables, meats, fish and dairy products
Vly Farm
689 Vly Road, Stone Ridge, NY
Offering: Free range pork, lamb, goat, eggs, fruit and vegetables
Wallkill View Farm 
15 NY-299, New Paltz, NY
www.wallkillviewfarmmarket.com
Offering: Fruits, vegetables, herbs, sweet corn, pumpkins, nursery items and more
Westwind Orchard
215 Lower Whitfield Road, Accord, NY
Offering: Fruits, cider, honey, eggs and more
Wright's Farm
699 Route 208, Gardiner, NY
Offering: Fruits, vegetables, pick your own apples, jams and lots more
Strapped for time or just want to enjoy your Sunday shopping experience far away from glaring fluorescent lighting and aisles of humming freezers? Be sure to check out these area farmers markets running throughout the season, where you can pick up all your farm favorites in one spot and even more handmade and artisanal delights brought to you by local farms and businesses. Many of the farms listed above are regular attendees of these farm markets. If you’re a real foodie, an Ulster County farmers market is a can’t miss experience to stock up your pantry and be inspired by the variety of culinary delights.
If you’re looking to score the freshest quality local foods, but on a larger scale, say for an institution or restaurant you may work for, but don’t have the time to stop at a farmer’s market weekly, check out Hudson Valley Harvest; they aggregate and distribute fresh produce from over 50 Hudson Valley farms to the Tri-State area, so essentially, the farmers market can be delivered to your door!
Farmers Markets
Kingston Farmers Market
Rosendale Farmers Market
http://rosendalefarmersmarketny.com/summer-market/
Saugerties Farmers Market
www.saugertiesfarmersmarket.com
Woodstock Farm Festival
http://www.woodstockfarmfestival.com/
Gardiner Greenmarket
http://www.townofgardiner.org/GREENMARKET.cfm
Heart of the Hudson Valley (Milton)
New Paltz Farmers Market
Ellenville Farmers Market
http://ellenvillefarmersmarket.blogspot.com/
Another popular way in which locals get their produce during summer months are from local farm’s CSA programs. CSA stands for “Community Supported Agriculture” and essentially, it is just as it sounds. When you join, you purchase a “share” of the season’s crops at once, and then weekly (or biweekly) receive your share’s worth for the duration of the season. Not only do you get a variety of the week’s freshest produce straight from the farm, you are also supporting the farm so that they are able to purchase seeds and other necessary materials at the beginning of every growing season to keep continuing the process. Some CSA’s require help working the farm, but it isn’t required for membership in many local cases. If this type of program interests you, start doing your research in the fall and winter to make sure to save your spot for an upcoming spring harvest!
CSA- Community Supported Agriculture
Big Little Farm
This Kingston based CSA operates as a U-Pick; meaning that every week, instead of receiving a random selection of produce available, you are welcome to the farm to pick which types of fruits and vegetables you would like for the week, by the unit. This CSA runs from June - October.
Phillies Bridge Farm Project
Phillies Bridge Farm, located in New Paltz, NY, has a bounty that includes weekly distributions of over 150 varieties of veggies, herbs and flowers and some crops are u-pick (including beans, peas and cherry tomatoes). Different sized shares are available depending upon the size of your family or needs. Runs from June - November.
Grass + Grit Farm
Grass + Grit, also in New Paltz, offers one dozen pasture raised eggs on a biweekly basis from July - November. You can also find them at the Beacon Farmers Market where they bring assortments of non GMO meat and eggs for purchase. Their website also teases a Winter Meat and Egg share, where more details are soon to be announced.
Huguenot Street Farm
Huguenot Street Farm in New Paltz has weekly distributions of fruits and vegetables in their shares, but they also have U-Pick selections including fresh flowers, berries, peppers and beans. This CSA runs from June - November, but soon the farm will be experimenting with extra late root crops that could extend their season even further. Huguenot Street Farm also offers different sized shares, including a share specifically just for their fresh grown fruit.
Second Wind CSA
This Gardiner based CSA runs from June - November and has been operating since 1993! Shares from this farm include a variety of organic, no-till vegetables.
Long Season Farm
This Kerhonkson CSA program runs through the winter and includes hearty, cold-weather produce as well as offerings from their winter greenhouse, including produce such as squashes, pumpkins, onions, garlic and more.
Clove Valley CSA
This CSA, based in High Falls, runs from June - November and offers a variety of fruits and vegetables in their shares. This small scale CSA does require farm time for members to keep up the quality and make sure there is an abundance of produce for members.
If you’re interested in seeing even more Hudson Valley Farms that have CSA programs, check out this full CSA Index from Chronogram.
Even More Ways to Get Ulster County Fresh Produce
High Falls Food Co-Op
Dedicated to providing the freshest, healthiest food at the lowest prices possible, the High Falls Food Co-Op is a member owned store that supports local agriculture by providing a variety of local products. Anyone in the community is welcome to shop here, but by becoming a member, you’re able to receive a discount, and working members can receive a discount of up to 10%.
KNF (Kingston Natural Foods) Buying Co-Op
The idea here is that there is power in numbers. By sharing the costs with other members, the co-op is able to buy produce from local farmers in bulk at wholesale costs and then members band together to help with distribution. Check out their website for more details on how it works and how to join.
Mother Earth’s Storehouse
With locations in Kingston, Saugerties and Poughkeepsie, Mother Earth’s Storehouse helped start the organic, sustainable, and natural food trend in the Hudson Valley over 30 years ago when they created an alternative to big box food shopping. Today, they still focus on providing all natural and locally sourced food products and vitamins to Hudson Valley residents and their in store cafes allow you to get the same great quality prepared food on the go.
Adam’s Fairacre Farms
With stores in Kingston, and 3 other Dutchess and Orange County locations, Adam’s is another one stop shop for the finest local produce, meats, flowers, nursery items and lots lots more. What started as a single roadside farm stand in the early 1900’s has now grown into a family run chain of highly successful local markets with almost unparalleled variety of the freshest, locally sourced products.
Sunflower Natural Foods Market
Located in both Woodstock and Rhinebeck, NY, Sunflower Natural Foods Market is a family owned and operated health food market sourcing local organic produce, supplements and more. Sunflower market is a one-stop shop to find your local organic favorites and their Rhinebeck location contains a deli cafe and juice bar for healthy eating on the go.
Ulster County is for Foodies!
If you are looking for a place that would give you the land to create a personal, or commercial sized garden or farm, raise animals and more, you will certainly find it here.
If you’re looking to start your own personal garden or farm you’ll need to start from seed, and luckily, in Ulster County there are plenty of nurseries that can help get you started. If you’re more of the “Do-It-Yourself” type and have been inspired to start your own garden, before we wrap up, be sure to check out some of the local resources below…
Adams Fairacre Farms
1560 Ulster Avenue, Lake Katrine, NY
Offering: Full nursery, garden center and lots more
Catskill Native Nursery
Kerhonkson, NY
Offering: North American perennials, trees, shrubs, heirlooms, herbs and edible plants
Hudson Valley Seed Library
Accord, NY
Special Events and Mail Orders Available
Veronica’s Garden & Stone Ridge Nursery
110 Kripplebush Road, Stone Ridge, NY
Offering: Full nursery, including gardening supplies
Victoria Gardens
1 Cottekill Road, Rosendale, NY
Offering: Full nursery, garden center and gifts
Are you interested in learning more about how you can take your own Ulster County farmstead dreams and turn them into a reality? Contact Taft Street Realty so that one of our agents can help you find where to place your Ulster County roots!
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