Low-Hanging Fruit
Pick Your Own: A Vermont Tradition
PICK YOUR OWN
Dutton's Berry Farm - Newfane
Dutton’s celebrates their 40th anniversary this year! Wendy and Paul Dutton now run their highly successful fruit and vegetable (and maple syrup and Christmas tree!) business with their three adult children serving in various capacities. During the years, Dutton’s has expanded to three locations: Manchester, Newfane, and West Brattleboro.
Dutton’s has always specialized in fruit, hence a bright red strawberry as their logo. Strawberry picking starts in late June and runs through mid-July. Raspberries ripen around July 4, followed by black raspberries. Blueberry-picking season takes place in late July and through August. Some years, currants are available as well in late summer.
Creemees are another Dutton’s specialty. “We add our own maple syrup to the vanilla base, and we make black raspberry creemees using our pureed concentrated fruit.” Dutton’s fruit also becomes the basis for freshly baked pies and homemade jams. The farm stands carry picked berries and a full line of freshly harvested produce from their extensive fields. Come fall, Dutton’s grows many varieties of apples and presses them into cider; a portion goes in to their canned hard cider as well.
The PYO operation takes place exclusively at the Newfane location, in the berry fields visible from Route 30. “Visitors can follow the signs and drive right to the parking area at the berry fields,” Wendy says. PYO happens seven days a week, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. (call the Newfane store at 802-365-4168).
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