I know the guys who run Ridgefield quite well. They’re great people over there. The apples they grow are a favorite of my entire family, and I’ve collaborated with them on a story about the apples in the past. Their fall festival weekends are a great time for my young son, who enjoys picking apples, selecting our household pumpkin, and taking in magician and banjo-player entertainment.

It’s true that Ridgefield sells produce not grown on their own farm. They’ve been honest with me when I asked about it and I’m surprised they were a little more cagey with you. I mostly buy the things they actually grow on their farm, but the products they carry from other farms are usually good and the people selling them mean the best. However, if you want products sold only by the producers, you’re probably looking at schlepping closer to the city (not sure about the Frederick area markets in this regard). I used to shop the Takoma Park, MD market every Sunday and that one is producers-only, has a mileage requirement (I think it’s 100 miles), and most of the vendors were organic to boot. I think it’s a little much to expect the same out here.