You don’t have to wait for the leaves to fall to have some farm fun. Love Apple Farm in Ghent is gearing up for the spring and summer, and they have lots in store
Love Apple Farm has contributed to Columbia County’s rich agriculture for over 40 years. After a fire destroyed the farm’s market building in 2012, then-owners Chris and Randae Loken decided to sell the orchard to longtime friend and Art Omi Trustee, Francis Greenburger. Under Greenburger, the space has been completely rebuild and restructured.
The new-and-improved, 9,000-square-foot building houses the homemade bakery, fresh food market, an art exhibition space, and Mexican specialty cafe, which serves classic dishes like tacos and tamales. Since reopening in August 2016, the 80-acre farm and U-Pick apple orchard has been expanding its offerings.
“It’s a destination for U-Pick, lunch, shopping, a petting zoo,,” says market manager Shay Decker. “Having this one building makes it a one-stop shop for families and visitors.”
Love Apple’s bakery is best known for its homemade pies and apple cider donuts. It also sells cookies, apple turnovers, muffins, and other fresh, baked goods. The accompanying cafe serves sandwiches, salads, and soups, as well as authentic Mexican specials like tamales and quesadillas. This May, a new baker joined the staff; and an all-new menu in the bakery and cafe will debut this Memorial Day.
The market sells fresh fruits, vegetables, and locally-made grocery items, including, cheese, meat, ice cream, fresh cider, natural soda, and more. “We have a pretty good variety of grocery shopping, and we’re getting new products every week,” Decker says. “We focus on local—if not in this county, then from New York and the Northeast—to get the highest quality, unique, specialty products that can’t be found in the grocery store.”
The market building has plenty of seating for families and large groups. During the summer, the farm provides outdoor seating and tents for private events, such as kids’ birthday parties.
The art exhibition space opens today, May 25 with the exhibit “Francis Greenburger Selects,” featuring the works of artists Claus Brunsmann, Margaret Evangeline, John Morra, and Sandi Slone. Admission is free and open to the public every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday throughout the summer. The farm will hold an opening reception for the space on Saturday, June 2.
Love Apple Farm is open daily from 10am to 5pm.
This article appears in May 2018.
