Lehman's Orchard

Next up for Farmer's Market Thursdays, celebrating the vendors who sell at the Daley Plaza Farmer's Market in Chicago, is Lehman's Orchard.

Lehman's Orchard is 61 acres of a family operated farm in Michigan (55 of those acres are for fruit!)  They kick off the farmer's market season with strawberries and by the time fall hits, they will be selling pears, sauces and relishes.  From a variety of fruit to nut butters (nuts are not grown on site) to cider to sauces, they seem to do it all!  Their farm even has a winery - 100% of the fruit used in the wine is grown on site and all the work is done by their employees. 

I recently spoke with Steve from Lehman's Orchard.  When asked about his favorite product, he said it changes with the season.  Right now, he told me, "The raspberries are pretty tasty.  I haven't had them in a while."  I agree!  Raspberries and blueberries just started and we are at the tail end of the strawberry season, Steve told me.  Raspberries are one of my personal favorite fruits (we grow them in my mom's garden), but Lehman's Orchard has twelve different varieties!  There are black raspberries, white (golden) raspberries and ten different kinds of red ones (although Steve says it is harder to tell the red raspberries apart.)

With so many different products available, it is easy to make healthy choices to eat locally.  I'm excited to use their apple cider vinegar in my recipes.  Their trail mix mas been fantastic as a quick and tasty mid-afternoon pick-me-up while at work!

You can like Lehman's Orchard on Facebook - they are great with updating what they are selling that week.  After seeing them for a few years at Daley Plaza, I can vouch for their ever changing selection.  It's like a new store every week!

What have you bought from Lehman's Orchard?  What products to you love?  Have you tried any of their packaged goods or are you too distracted by their tempting fruit?