SIW Vegetables

Well, another busy weekend for the Philly Food Feed has passed. National Farmers’ Market week was a success as far as we at the Feed are concerned. We visited 4 different markets last week, one of which we have never been to before and the bounty from these visits is still being enjoyed. This past Saturday, Sarah was taking Ethan and I on a scenic tour of the Brandywine Valley where, as their website states, Southern Chester Pennsylvania meets Northern Delaware. This area is full of natural and historical landmarks which alone are worth the trip. However, what most impressed me (the burgeoning locavore that I am) was a detour that Sarah took that found us at a roadside farm stand – SIW Vegetables.

Now I have been to some roadside markets before, but this one is special. Heirloom tomatoes, various melons - more than I could count, squash, okra, Lima beans…the selection was amazing and everything looked as fresh as if it was still in the ground. This is not to mention the baked goods that I saw, or the Canadian Strawberries that looked like they belonged in a commercial. This was beyond any roadside stand I have ever seen, and after a conversation with the owner Mr. HG Haskell, it was obvious why. SIW uses organic and pest management techniques on most of their produce. Furthermore, SIW also participates in Community Supported Agriculture. Moreover, their pickers bring food to the stand right from the fields. You can’t get any fresher than that! These are people that obviously care about the soil, the produce, and the people who buy and eat their goods!

SIW is open from early June until October 31st, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week. They are located on 4317 S. Creek Rd. Chadds Ford, PA 19317. If you are in the area or just want to take a beautiful scenic drive, I implore you to stop here. We bought some Okra for Sarah’s dad which he devoured and Sarah and I are still chomping on the Sugar Baby Watermelon we purchased. That melon, what a thirst quencher!