The farm stands of Charlestown: 2012 edition

Sweet corn from Carpenters Farm
in Matunuck.

… Because even the most avid gardener occasionally gets a craving for something they didn't plant.

By Linda Felaco

One of the glories of living in South County (in addition to our top-ranked beaches) is the plethora of farm stands offering healthful, locally grown produce in the summer and fall. 

Briarfield Farm on Shannock Rd. between Worden's Pond and Old Coach has a farm stand out front. They sell tomatoes, spinach, zucchini, eggplant (both purple and white), peppers, cucumbers, and onions, as well as colorful fresh-cut flowers.

Locavore salad

Shannock Organic Farm on Shannock Rd. near Maple Lake Farm Rd. operates a farm stand on the honor system. They sell zucchini, squash, beans, and cucumbers along with a variety of gorgeous flowers.

There's also a farm stand on Old Coach Road across from the South Farm Preserve. They sell squash, green beans, and garlic.

If you're down by the beach, Jackson's Farm (on Route 1 near Michael's) also operates a farm stand at Pat's Power on Old Post Rd. and Narrow Ln. near the Mini-Super.

To me, the best corn on the cob is grown in Matunuck. My theory is that the salt air gives the corn a natural saltiness that barely needs any added salt. I get it from Carpenters Farm's stand down by Rippy's. They also sell their corn at various other locations in and around town, including at the General Stanton Inn. It's fresh-picked daily, and you really can taste the difference. No supermarket corn is ever as fresh. Best of all is their famous "Silver Queen" white corn, which is only available for a short time in mid-August. Make sure to grab some when they've got it.

A successful Charlestown farm at the
Charlestown Land Trust Farmers Market.

While you're in Matunuck, make sure to visit Daddy's Bread on the corner of Moonstone Beach Road and Matunuck Schoolhouse Road. The breads are made using locally grown and seasonal ingredients, and like many of the local farm stands, Daddy's operates on the honor system. When you walk into Daddy's, which is a private home, there's no one behind the counter. You make your selections and put your payment in the cash box. If you're short of cash and don't have a check on you (I don't generally take my checkbook to the beach myself), you can write out an IOU in the guest register and settle up on your next visit.

In addition to produce, a number of local farms specialize in beef, poultry, dairy products, honey, and other items. The town web site has a list of Charlestown farms, but it doesn't appear to be very up to date; the page for the Golden Root CSA (community supported agriculture) at Earth Care Farm, 89 Country Drive, for example, proclaims "Shares for Summer 2004 now available!" The web site for Farm Fresh Rhode Island is more comprehensive. You can search by town and get a list of farms with info on what they sell and how they sell it; e.g., farm stand, farmers' markets, wholesale, retail, etc.

Then of course there are our three Charlestown-area farmers markets that are held on Fridays and Saturdays, featuring area vendors. It's enough to make you wonder why anyone ever goes to Stop & Shop in the summer.