With spring turning into summer in Chesapeake, It's time to embrace the freshness of the season by eating local. From pick-your-own farms where you can create unforgettable memories (and great photos!) with your little ones, to CSAs offering a bounty of seasonal delights and local farmers markets ... there are plenty of ways to eat fresh in Chesapeake, VA!
By choosing locally grown produce, you're not only treating your taste buds, but also supporting sustainable agriculture and the hardworking farmers in the Chesapeake, VA area.
Discover where you can find locally grown fruits, vegetables, and more in Chesapeake to bring home to your family:
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Pick-Your-Own (PYO) Farms in Chesapeake, VA
It's a hands-on adventure at these PYO farms in and around Chesapeake, where you can enjoy the experience of picking your own fruits and vegetables straight from the fields. Here are some top picks of what's open now:
Hickory Ridge Farm
2928 Battlefield Blvd S, Chesapeake, VA 23322
https://jrpx28.wixsite.com/hickoryridgefarm
What to expect: Family owned and operated farm located in the Hickory area of Chesapeake, open daily for you-pick strawberries, sunflowers, and more, depending on the season. Bring your own buckets and have them weighed before you start picking strawberries. Buckets are also available for purchase. The kids' play area is free, but there is a small fee for the rides (hayrides, barrel train, and pony rides). Cash and cards are accepted, but processing fees will be charged for credit cards.
Historic Greenbrier Farms
225 Sign Pine Rd, Chesapeake, VA 23322
https://www.historicgreenbrierfarms.com/
What to expect: Pick your own strawberries, tulips, peaches, sunflowers, wildflowers, pumpkins and Christmas trees. The play area for kids has bounce houses, play hills, slides and plenty of room for the kids to run around. There is a $3 fee to access the bounce houses and play area. Free parking and free access to the barnyard animals. The Hive Farm Bar & Grill is a great place to order food and listen to live music.
Mount Pleasant Farms
2201 Mount Pleasant Rd, Chesapeake, VA 23322
https://mountpleasantfarms.com/
What to expect: Pick your own strawberries as well as other produce, depending on the season. The farm store sells local honey, jams, jellies, salsa, plants and more. The kids' play area and petting zoo is free. Feed is available in the store for those adventurous kiddos who want to feed the chickens.
Lilley Farms
2800 Tyre Neck Road, Chesapeake, VA 23321
https://www.facebook.com/LilleyFarmsStrawberries/
What to expect: Pick your own strawberries or buy some pre-picked berries, jam and honey from the farm stand! Check Facebook for days and hours for picking.
Brookdale Farm
2133 Mt Pleasant Rd, Chesapeake, VA 23322
https://www.facebook.com/brookdalefarmva
What to expect: Small family owned farm in Chesapeake offering pick-your-own strawberries generally open every day, but check Facebook to see the hours that day.
Know of any other PYO farms in Chesapeake that we should add to our list? Let us know at dianad@macaronikid.com.
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Local CSAs near Chesapeake, VA
Support local farmers and enjoy a regular supply of fresh, seasonal produce by joining a CSA in South Hampton Roads. CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. While there are no CSAs within the city of Chesapeake, here is a nearby CSA to consider:
Hope For Suffolk
https://hopeforsuffolk.org/buy-produce/
Details: Hope for Suffolk is an organic farm that employs teenagers to grow and harvest the organic produce which gets sold to members of the CSA. A full share costs $140 per month for a weekly basket of organic produce, while a half share costs $70 per month for a biweekly basket. The season is from May to September.
Do you have a favorite CSA that you'd like to recommend? Share the details with us at dianad@macaronikid.com.
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Farmers Markets in Chesapeake
Chesapeake's farmers markets are a great place to spend time browsing fresh produce, locally-produced artisanal goods, and much more. Here's where to find farmer's markets in Chesapeake, VA:
Farmers Market at City Park
Chesapeake City Park, 900 City Park Dr, Chesapeake, VA 23320
Details: Wednesday and Saturday from 8AM to 12PM, opening on June 1st.
Vendors include White Clover Farms, Sparks Family Farms, BB’s Q and Provisions, BrownTown Organics, Stacey Garrett's Blooms, Ray's Produce, Loubna Cookies, Spence Farms Cart, L’s Sourdough, Shillelagh Farms Homestead, Four Sparks Bakery and El Taquito
MKL Produce
1737 Battlefield Blvd S, Chesapeake, VA 23322
Details: Open April to December, offering a variety of produce including corn, squash, watermelons and tomatoes.
Weekly Wednesday Farmers Market at Chesapeake Health Department
748 Battlefield Blvd N, Chesapeake, VA 23320 (behind Chesapeake Regional Healthcare)
Details: Every Wednesday from 9AM to 1PM
Vendors: Penn Farm/Norma's Produce, Must Love Cake, O Taste The Love, L's Sourdough, The Mulletteer/Crop Circle Gourmet
Know of any other farmers markets in Chesapeake that we should highlight? Let us know at dianad@macaronikid.com!
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