While many residents are bemoaning the imminent closure of Russo’s in Watertown, the Owl has to admit she pretty much never went there. When we live where we do in semi-rural Weston, there are more than a few homegrown options around for your fresh veggies and fruit. I have a special place in my heart for the family-owned enterprises–don’t get mad, Land’s Sake, you know I love you, too.

If you didn’t know, it’s the best time of the year RIGHT NOW for tomatoes, corn, peaches and apples. Other stuff too–especially that hard-to-donate zucchini from your home garden.

Viles Family Farmstand – Weston

The Viles farmstand at 300 Conant is now filled with mums, corn, tomatoes and peaches. The nectarines and black plums I got there earlier this week were snacked up in about an hour–the corn is about to be relished. Literally. You can read more about this hometown farmstand in a post from earlier this spring.

Hannan Healthy Foods Farmstand – Lincoln

The newest farmstand in the area (and sorry, southside, I can’t help you–take a trip to the great white north) is technically over the line in Lincoln, though as I’ve said before, we were all Watertown once so it counts. Just think of it as Far North Weston. Hannan Agro Farms arrived on the farming scene here just this year, and it’s a wonderful story told best by Mohammed Hannan, with whom the Owl exchanged messages this week when he was busily setting up for his first farm to fork dinner. Mohammed grew up on a farm in Bangladesh, then began farming in the US through a Tufts new farmers program in 2018. He has recently expanded to seven acres in Lincoln, and hopes to expand even more by taking over a field at the Umbrello area. This is (non-certified) organic food and it’s wonderful–you can find the famstand open ever Saturday from 11 am to 6 pm.

Hannan Healthy Foods Farm Stand, Umbrello Hay Field, Lincoln, MA 01773 (entrance opposite of 275 S Great Rd, Lincoln, MA 01773)

Wagon Wheel – Lexington

Okay, I admit this is a bit of a leap up, but I cannot NOT write up Wagon Wheel which is close-by, family-owned and features both local and not-local produce. And mums. And hay bales. I love it. I stopped in last week in search emergency peaches (hungry!) and absoutely loved their system of local produce marked with yellow signs, and non-local (California avocados, for example) marked with white signs. It’s super friendly, also includes landscape and garden stuff AND if you get hungry, there’s a deli too. Also candy.

Wagon Wheel, 927 Waltham Street, Lexington, (there is a location as wel on Route 2 with limited hours) Mon – Friday: 7:00AM – 5:00PM, Saturday: 7:00AM – 3:00PM, Sunday: Closed https://www.wagonwheelinc.com/

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There are many more farmstands around us–make sure you pull over the next time you’re wandering about in Bolton (Bolton Springs Farm! Apple cider donuts!), Stow, Concord or other local town. It is the Owl’s personal mission to investigate any and all family-owned farmstands in the area. Which are your favorites? Eat local!