Stephanie Green assembles sandwhiches at the Westward Farm Store lunch counter. (Photos by Lisa Aciukewicz)
Driving by the Westward Orchards Farm Store at 178 Massachusetts Ave., you might think that its only wares were the bounty of its orchards. But one step inside the door will show you just how busy Bill Hermann’s daughters Gail Conlin and Karen Green, and Karen’s daughter Stephanie Waite, have been. Since the store was first opened about 40 years ago, Karen and Gail, and more recently, Stephanie, have expanded it to include not only Westward’s fruits, but also vegetables, gifts, gardening items, a lunch counter, and a variety of local foods.
In addition to blueberries, peaches, plums, nectarines, melons, apples, and pears, the store is now selling vegetables grown by farm manager Chris Green, a direct result of the CSA program that he started last year. On a recent early August day, offerings included Westward-grown tomatoes, basil, beans, radishes, cucumbers, broccoli, zucchini, and cabbages.
Common-sense pest prevention
The farm practices IPM (Integrated Pest Management) with all of their crops. According to the EPA website, “IPM is an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of common-sense practices.” Pests include everything from viruses to worms to mammals, and most crops have unique pest problems. IPM growers use common-sense prevention such as crop rotation as a first line of defense. Growers also set thresholds for pest problems so that action is not taken unless it is necessary. If action is required, less risky methods are always used first, with broadcast spraying of pesticides used only as a last resort.
Karen, Gail, and Stephanie make an effort to offer local products. In the food section of the store, you’ll find toffee from the New England Toffee Co. in Acton and all-natural peanut butter from The Vermont Peanut Butter Company. There are pies, such as wild blueberry pie from Maine’s Valley View Orchards and key lime pie from Joyce’s in Leominster. There’s Baby Swiss cheese from Boggy Meadow Farm in Walpole, NH and cheddar, havarti and Gouda from Smith’s Farmstead in Winchendon. Frozen choices include Bliss ice cream from Attleboro, a variety of meat and poultry from Meat Again in Westford, and Aristocrat chicken pies from Upton.
Westward Orchards Farm Store sells many gift items.
A holiday tradition
Karen Green’s floral design experience is evident on entering the gift section of the store. Gifts include decorative items and housewares, featuring natural themes such as apples, blueberries, sheep, birds, and horses. Late in the fall the family adds a huge selection of holiday-themed items, and holds a yearly three-day “Holiday Open House” in early December. Store manager Stephanie Waite explained that they do try to get local products in the gift section as well, and have worked with Harvard artisans to consign or buy their crafts. In addition, the store sells notecards created at the Art Initiative Program, a Waltham-based nonprofit organization that provides employment opportunities to people with developmental and intellectual disabilities.
The lunch counter plays a major role in the store. Made-to-order sandwiches and fresh soups are available from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. every day (except Tuesday, when the store is closed). Sandwich choices include the popular BLT, a daily chicken salad, such as curried chicken salad with apples and golden raisins, and a daily special.
Vegetarian options are also available, such as a veggie wrap, with lettuce, tomato, cheese and crisp-tender onions, carrots, broccoli and zucchini. Sandwiches are made with all-natural Biga Bread from Charlestown, and with their own produce when it’s in season. Breakfast is available on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 to 11 a.m. Choices are bacon/ham, egg, and cheese sandwiches or Belgian waffles with fruit, whipped cream and maple syrup. The waffles come with Westward’s own blueberries or peaches in season. Seating is available on the covered front porch, where there always seems to be a breeze on a hot day.
Most popular addition
Stephanie’s most popular addition to the store is cider doughnuts. “I was certain we needed the doughnut machine. People came into the store in the fall and asked if we had cider doughnuts. When we said no, they would leave. People expected them to be part of the experience of apple picking.” The “doughnut robot” was installed in the back of the store, and Stephanie’s father Don Green makes the doughnuts fresh every day. On a busy day they’ll sell about 90 dozen. In blueberry season, Don makes blueberry doughnuts, and this year when the weather gets cooler, Don plans on making his favorite, chocolate doughnuts.
Pick-your-own fruit is very popular at Westward. Blueberry picking starts in mid-July, apple picking in early September, and wagon rides to the pumpkin patch in late September (weekends only). Picking at Westward is very laid back. “People can go out to the orchard and pick wherever they want and stay all day if they want to,” said Gail. If you don’t have the time or inclination to pick your own, all of the pick-your-own crops are available in the store. And if you want to grow your own, you’ll find gloves, plant markers, and a Harvard necessity, poison ivy scrub.
Bluegrass on Sundays
Over the years, Westward has tried various new ideas to grow the farm store business. “We tried a corn boil and a blueberry pancake breakfast under a tent, but it didn’t really bring in enough people to justify the extra work,” said Stephanie. Gail added, “Now we keep it pretty basic and I think a lot of our customers like that. People who came here as children are now bringing their own children. A couple even got engaged here.”
One thing that has been working for the past few years is the informal bluegrass jam session held on the porch every Sunday afternoon from 1:30 p.m. until 4 p.m. Local musicians pull up chairs on one side of the porch while customers enjoy lunch or a cold drink on the other. It’s all very laid back, which fits the mood of the store well.
Looking for support
The future for both the farm and the store at Westward Orchards is now in the hands of Bill Hermann’s grandchildren, Stephanie and Chris. They will continue to contend with the weather, pests, and market downturns. But they are hoping that support from Harvard residents will continue to grow, and that people will think of them when they’re looking for some local produce, a housewarming gift, or a pleasant outdoor spot to have a tasty lunch or weekend breakfast.
The farm store is open June 1 through December 31, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except Tuesday. Pick-your-own hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. More information is available on the website at www.westwardorchards.com.
