By Molly Triffin
From the tender greens of early summer to the bountiful harvests of fall, Stowe and its surrounding towns are a paradise for your taste buds. Rolling hills and fertile valleys are dotted with family-run farms, bustling markets, and charming roadside stands brimming with seasonal delights.
But many of these destinations are also closely kept secrets that visitors aren’t in the know about. So we’re leading you through scenic back roads to these hidden gems. Whether you’re seeking pick-your-own berries, organic veggies, artisanal cheese, or a warm slice of homemade pie, we’ve got the pick of the crop!
IN STOWE
Bob’s Breadworks
71 Taber Road • Stowe, VT 05672
On Fridays between 4- 5:30 p.m., locals arrive at the front door of a nondescript house. There, they collect hot-from-the-oven
loaves of lovingly crafted sourdough bread. Launched by local scientist Bob Ross as a side gig, this cherished bakery churns
out dozens of sourdough boules each week. Meticulously prepared using traditional fermentation methods, the bread
has a rich, complex taste and satisfying crust. Choose between classic sourdough or the weekly specialty loaf; rotating flavors
include maple-walnut, chocolate caramel, olive rosemary, and spelt carrot (Bob’s favorite).
Long Winter Farm
1187 Nebraska Valley Road • Stowe, VT 05672
Tucked away in picturesque Nebraska Valley, a visit to Long Winter Farm is like stepping into a postcard-perfect New England farm scene. This environmentally sustainable, familyrun farm offers a delightful selection of organic vegetables, fragrant herbs, and eggs from pasture-raised chickens.
Nebraska Knoll Sugar Farm
256 Falls Brook Lane • Stowe, VT 05672
Nestled in a quiet corner of Stowe, this family-run operation has been perfecting the art of maple sugaring for more than
four decades. During sugaring season in early spring you can watch sap being boiled down into syrup, enjoy sticky
sugar on snow, and learn about the traditional techniques passed down through generations. But the farm store is open
throughout the year. Pick up a jar of mouth-watering maple cream (perfect for spreading onto an English muffin with butter) and bottles of wood-fired amber syrup to drizzle over pancakes or stir into your morning coffee.
Nebraska Valley Pies
115 Nebraska Valley Road • Stowe, VT 05672
A must-visit for anyone with a sweet tooth, this stand specializes in homemade pies that perfectly capture the flavors of Vermont. Think: strawberry rhubarb, peach blueberry, and caramel apple. Pick one up on Sunday afternoons to share with friends at a picnic or barbecue!
North Hollow Blueberry Farm
948 North Hollow Road • Stowe, VT 05672
Spend the afternoon picking juicy berries at one of the prettiest spots in town. On this woman-owned farm, more than 3,000 blueberry bushes (seven different varieties) dot 15 pristine acres of rolling countryside. Panoramic mountain views make the experience even sweeter. Whether you’re filling a big basket for baking or a few pints for snacking, the farm’s ecologically grown fruit bursts with flavor. Depending on the time of year, you can also find pumpkins, sunflowers, and sweet corn.
Sage Farm Goat Dairy
2346 West Hill Road • Stowe, VT 05672
Pick up fresh and aged goat cheese, organic eggs, maple syrup, and raw goat milk at Sage Farm, known for their smallbatch cheeses. Three yummy varieties to add to your basket: Sterling, a local favorite; briny feta; and the award-winning creamy chèvre, artfully decorated with garden flowers and herbs. Managed by two sisters, the farm also offers guided tours where you can interact with the animals, learn about sustainable farming and cheesemaking, and taste-test a flight of cheeses. In April and May, you can play with and bottle-feed their friendly herd of baby goats.
Stowe Farmer’s Market
3420 Mountain Road • Stowe, VT 05672
This vibrant gathering of farmers, artisans, and food lovers dishes up just-picked vegetables, local cheeses, and farm-tocone ice cream. As you wander through the stands, the aroma of sizzling food fills the air, tempting you to try a freshly made crepe or hand-wrapped dumplings. Live music adds to the cheerful atmosphere, making this a perfect way to spend a leisurely Sunday morning.
BEYOND STOWE
Green Mountain Garlic
80 Kneeland Flats Road, Waterbury, VT 05676
If you love bold flavors, Green Mountain Garlic is the place to visit. The husband and wife team started as passionate backyard garlic gardeners, and their foray into farming grew over the years. Today, they harvest acres of delicious bulbs. Specializing in organically grown garlic varieties, this small farm offers fresh bulbs, scapes, and braids that will elevate your cooking. Their aged black garlic is a must-try for adventurous chefs. Stop by during garlic season, Labor Day through the end of September.
Hartshorn Farm
54 Quarry Road, Waitsfield • VT 05673
Stop by Hartshorn Farm to experience Vermont’s rich agricultural heritage. A certified organic operation, they offer everything from pick your own strawberries to maple syrup to a farmstand packed with vegetables and homemade goodies. Locals look forward to their annual strawberry festival in June—featuring live music, strawberry-inspired confections, and flatbread baked in a clay oven. Visitors can also partake in food and farm tours, gardening workshops, and wellness retreats.
Hunger Mountain Orchard
88 Thurston Lane, Waterbury, VT 05676
Between the crisp mountain air, golden foliage, and sweet scent of apples, Hunger Mountain Orchard is a celebration of fall. They offer pick-your-own apples in a variety of heirloom and classic New England varieties, perfect for eating fresh or baking into pies. Be sure to chat with the friendly owners and visit the pretty pastured horses.
Mooring Hill Flower Farm
101 Fishkill Lane, Morrisville • VT 05661
A haven for flower lovers, Mooring Hill offers seasonal blooms grown with care and creativity. Stop by their self-serve farmstand, or sign up for a flower-arranging workshop, dahlia growing class, or painting night held at the farm. Whether you're a casual admirer or a serious gardener, their lush bouquets will bring a smile to your face and style to your home.
The Roots Farm Market
903 US Route 2, Middlesex • VT 05602
Located in the heart of Middlesex, The Roots Farm Market is a vibrant hub where local food, farmers, and community converge. Established in 2019 as an extension of the organic Bear Roots Farm in Williamstown, you’ll find a diverse selection of produce alongside local dairy, eggs, meats, baked goods, and specialty provisions. Beyond groceries, there’s a curated selection of beer, wine, and artisan crafts, as well as a variety of plants, from seedlings to houseplants. The in-house kitchen serves up delicious, seasonally-focused grab-and-go items and take-home dinner entrees, making it a perfect stop for weekly shopping, a quick bite, or an indulgent sweet treat.
Slice of Earth
1271 VT-15, Wolcott • VT 05680
Get a taste of rural Vermont at its best. Run by the warm, welcoming Wadel family, this roadside stand offers a bounty of goodies. The shelves are stocked with seasonal fruits and vegetables, while their homemade preserves make for a perfect
souvenir. Stowe locals load up on juicy summer peaches and sweet nectarines, and also rave about handcrafted pies and
gingersnap cookies. In the fall, their in-house cidery serves fresh-pressed apple and pear cider.
Stony Grove
1286 Pratt Road, Jeffersonville • VT 05464
Just five miles west of Smugglers’ Notch, you can find a quintessential pick-your-own experience. With over 37 varieties of ecologically-grown apples, abundant blueberry bushes, and fragrant lavender fields, visitors can immerse themselves in the vivid colors and aromas of the harvest. At the rustic barn, you can sample the apples available for picking, as well as Stony Grove's famous apple cider beignets. You can also purchase lavender bouquets, handmade soaps, eggs, honey, and apple cider vinegar. Special events include a pancake breakfast during blueberry season, live music, yoga on the farm, and romantic date night picnic dinners.
Valley Dream Farm
5901 Pleasant Valley Road, Cambridge • VT 05444
Discover a wide range of certified organic vegetables, flowers, and herbs at this charming farmstand. (You can also hand pick
your own custom blooms from the garden.) Every Tuesday, a family-style dinner is held on the farm. Visitors take a hay ride and cut a bouquet for the table, before sitting down to a seven-course BYOB meal that ends with a delicious dessert.
Woodstock Farmers Market
2802 Waterbury-Stowe Road, Waterbury Center, VT 05677
This gourmet grocery store is a go-to destination for fresh produce, artisanal groceries, and tasty treats. You can enjoy
sandwiches and salads at their picnic tables or stock up on local meats, cheeses, flowers, and pantry staples.