July 12 — Bountiful Harvest

Local farms keep bellies full of juicy and delicious fruits and berries

Susan Schell / of the Herald

Summer is in full swing and it’s the season for luscious, juicy fruit. The colorful berry and fruit stands in the Puyallup Valley offer an array of fresh, healthy delights to please the palate of outdoor shoppers.

Although strawberry season is coming to a close, most local fruit stands still carry raspberries, blackberries, Marion berries and blueberries.

Picha Farms is located at the corner of 66th and 52nd Street, just off River Road in Puyallup. The berries are on sale from 8 a.m. until they sell out, usually between 1 and 4 p.m. The you-pick strawberry fields are still open to customers, but Dan Picha said the bulk of the season has passed.

“People want to come out and pick strawberries when it gets warm in July,” Picha said. “Unfortunately, the best time is in June.”

Picha’s family has been in the farm business in the Puyallup Valley since 1904. He currently owns the farm with his brother, Russ. The land was formerly used as a dairy farm.

Picha grows raspberries, strawberries, and blackberries in the spring and summer, and pumpkins and gourds in the fall. Picha usually runs out of berries around the end of July. They will reopen the first weekend of October. They also feature a corn maze in October. Picha grows pumpkins on 18 acres of land.

Picha has fond memories of life on the farm.

“It’s been great here,” he said. “We have some wonderful local neighbors.”

Picha touches on the dichotomy of the growing popularity of farmers’ markets.

“Farmers’ markets and fresh produce stands are growing very popular, but the availability of farmland to grow those are diminishing,” he said.

On the eastern side of Puyallup, Spooner Farms has a roadside berry stand at the end of East Main Street near the Daffodil Valley Bowling Alley. The stand sells blackberries, Marion berries, and raspberries until the first week of August. It will sell pumpkins, squash and gourds through Oct. 31. The stand is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week.

Spooner Farms also has a full-sized store at 9710 State Route 162. The store has a gift shop and features food items including smoothies and homemade fudge.

The Spooner family has been in the business since 1955 when Puyallup Valley farmers mainly grew hops.

Terry’s Berries currently sells raspberries and Eastern Washington cherries, and will carry blackberries and blueberries in the coming weeks. The stand is open from mid-May through the end of October and also carries a large array of vegetables. Their motto: “Terry’s Berries and veggies too, we grow organic just for you.”

Terry’s is located at 4520 River Road and is open during the week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Valley Farms is a full-scale fruit and vegetable stand located at 5726 River Road. Along with raspberries, blueberries and Marion berries, the stand sells fresh produce, salad dressing and homemade jam. They are open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Shoppers love the open-air feel of the market and the aromatic atmosphere of freshness.

“I love it here,” said shopper, Dianne Niemann, inspecting a deep purple eggplant. “We make a point to come here and not go to the big box stores. You’re supporting the local farms and cutting down on fuel costs. And it’s amazingly tasty.”

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PICHA FARMS

Corner of 66th and 52nd streets, off River Road, Puyallup Open 8 a.m. until sold out, from 1 to 4 p.m.

SPOONER FARMS

East end of Main Street (downtown Puyallup) near the Daffodil Valley Bowling Alley Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week

TERRY’S BERRIES

4520 River Road, Puyallup Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday

VALLEY FARMS

5726 River Road, Puyallup Open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday

Reach reporter Susan Schell at 253-841-2481 ext. 315 or by e-mail at susan.schell@puyallupherald.com.