Bartlett’s Farm is minutes from campus (Tom Kapple)
By Tom Kapple
Bartlett’s Farm, founded in 1843 on Nantucket, opened a second location earlier this year in West Barnstable, just three minutes from campus.
The farm stand offers seasonal fruits, vegetables and flowers from its two sites, along with products from other New England businesses. Shoppers can find apples from Crow Farm, ice cream bars from Buffy’s in Chatham, and meats, dairy and gifts from across the Northeast.
Not everything is strictly local. During a recent visit, pears from California were on the shelves even though Massachusetts’ pear season runs into October. With strawberry season over in Massachusetts, the stand was carrying Taste of the North strawberries from Quebec. While not grown locally, Quebec berries arrive fresher than those shipped from California, and can be bred for flavor instead of durability. Similarly, locally grown tomatoes typically beat supermarket tomatoes, which are picked early and ripened artificially with ethylene gas.
That quality comes at a price. At Bartlett’s Farm, strawberries run $10 a pound compared to about $6 at supermarkets, broccoli is $4.99 a pound compared to $3.99, and tomatoes are $5.99 a pound compared to $3.99.
Smaller farms generally pay higher wages, sell directly at farm stands or farmers markets, and rely on the local community to buy smaller volumes of produce. Unlike California growers who benefit from a mild year-round climate, New England farms must contend with shorter growing seasons.
For budget shoppers, supermarkets may be the better choice. But for those who value flavor and want to support local farms, the higher price tag is worth it.
Bartlett’s Farm is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day except Monday at 2211 Main St., West Barnstable. More information is available on Instagram or at bartlettsfarmwestbarnstable.com.
