Pick Your Own Apples & Pumpkins at Mead Orchards
*The event has already taken place on this date: Sun, 10/25/2020
Please help us keep this calendar up to date! If this activity is sold out, canceled, or otherwise needs alteration, email mindy@kidsoutandabout.com so we can update it immediately. If you have a question about the activity itself, please contact the organization administrator listed below.
About our Pick-Your-Own
Before heading into our fields, here’s a few general reminders to help ensure individual and food safety. Our picking areas are designated with careful consideration for the ripeness of the fruit. We ask that you only pick what has been identified as ready. We will provide picking containers and accept multiple forms of payment.
Please be sure to wear weather appropriate clothing and close-toed shoes. Grab your sunblock and hats - especially for the little ones. We have a family sized porta-potty near our farm stand and 2 standard porta-potties in the field with hand washing sinks on the back. We ask that before you begin picking, you wash or sanitize your hands. We happily permit leashed dogs on our property as long as they are walked outside of growing areas and cleaned up after. Additionally, we have picnic tables throughout the orchard for visitors to use. We will bleach the tables after each group, please sit with only your group at the tables. You are welcome to to bring your own picnic blanket, just ask a staff member where the best spots to set up your picnic are!
Lastly, please drive carefully through the orchard. We’ve worked very hard to ensure our signs are as clear as possible, but taking it slow will make it easier to find your way. There is also a section of two-way traffic as you enter/exit the orchard and driving too fast could be unsafe.
At this time we strongly encourage cashless payments. We hope to have pre order card payment. We will still accept cash as needed. Be sure to check our additional COVID guidelines for PYO this year found below.
We look forward to seeing you!
COVID-19 Precautions
We’ve always prided ourselves on being an escape from day-to-day stressors. This year, it is especially important to all of us that we do so safely. With that in mind, we’ve put together a set of guidelines in response to the COVID outbreak - based on NY State and CDC recommendations - to ensure the health and well-being of our customers and employees.
First and foremost, we ask that you maintain a safe 6-ft social distance from others whenever possible. You must wear a mask when in the presence of all employees and other customers. We know they’re uncomfortable, especially when it’s hot, but this is mandatory to pick on our farm. Please ensure you stay hydrated.
Hand sanitizing stations will be set up at all the pick-you-own locations in our fields. To reiterate, you must wash or sanitize your hands before picking. We also ask that you pick all of the ripe fruit in one area before moving on, to reduce the possible cross-contamination when another customer comes picking after you. Additionally, please allow 1 row of space between you/your family and another customer/family. We recommend waiting to consume the fruit until you’ve washed it. We want this to be a fun experience for all family members, but parents please keep your children close to you this year.
Individuals not following these guidelines while on our farm will first be reminded of our safety precautions, but we reserve the right to ask you to leave if your actions are deemed unsafe to others.
Unfortunately, due to COVID we can not allow you to bring containers from home. This is disheartening to our team, as sustainability and reduction of single use containers has been a part of our ongoing mission.
Regardless, we will have plenty of quart baskets and cardboard flats available for you to pick into.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read through our additional COVID PYO guidelines and understanding our need to put everyone's health and safety first this year. We hope you enjoy your visit to our farm!
Because our Farm Stand / U-Pick operation is seasonal and rustic, we have no concession stand, and no running water, and our bathroom "facilities" are limited: "porta pottys" (with hand-washing). So please be prepared, and SMILE! And, if you're thinking of bringing a large group, PLEASE call Beth Mead at 845-756-5641 or 845-756-2526 to see about making arrangements ahead of time. Thanks!
*Times, dates, and prices of any activity posted to our calendars are subject to change. Please be sure to click through directly to the organization’s website to verify.