One of the great blessings we have living in Vermont is the vast amount of local farmers that provide our community with an abundance of amazing produce all year long. Whether it is for cooking our gourmet breakfasts or for our menu at our restaurant Jessica’s, we appreciate the high quality of produce we can find locally, especially from places like Champlain Orchards in nearby Shoreham, VT.
Champlain Orchards began in 1998 and their small beginnings would quickly become a highly respected farming business in Vermont. The year after the land was purchased, owner Bill Suhr harvested 20,000 bushels. He began by delivering bushels to local farmers markets in a station wagon. Today, Champlain Orchards manages over 220 acres fruit trees! With a lot of passion and dedication, the business has grown to offer more than 100 varieties of apples as well as raspberries, cherries, blueberries, nectarines, peaches, plums, and European and Asian pears. They harvest over 80,000 bushels every year and deliver their goods to schools, colleges, hospitals, food co-ops, restaurants, and independent groceries. Their mission is “to grow a wide variety of delicious ecologically grown tree fruit while respecting the land, supporting our communities and surpassing customers’ expectations.”
For guests staying at our inn, we encourage you to make a stop at their farm market that is open daily from 10am – 4pm. You can pick up a variety of goods including apples, apple cider, fresh apple pie (delish!), apple cider donuts, and you can taste any of their Hard & Ice Ciders. They also offer several other Vermont products as well. It will be an afternoon well spent—take time to enjoy the scenery overlooking Lake Champlain and maybe even pick up a Christmas gift or two!
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