In Praise of Lewis Orchards
It's about an hour outside DC, in Maryland, over to Sugarloaf Mountain. Lewis Orchards. Take back roads via River Road, it's a nice drive in the country. I've been out twice the past week, and will probably go again very soon. Peaches are outstanding, melons are excellent, tomatoes outstanding (many are huge in diameter and a couple slices make a rocking bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich — on white toast with some mayo), corn excellent, various small vegetables outstanding. None organic, unfortunately. Very reasonably priced. A large operation, lots of turnover, produce extremely fresh. Highly recommended.
So I've tried both the white and the yellow peaches. The white are slightly sweeter but I prefer the yellow. Lewis picks them such that each take about four or five days to ripen to perfection. (You can tell, when quartered or in eighths, if the skin will smoothly peel off with a single pull; also they have a rich perfume.) These are freestone, so no problems there. Wonderful texture, almost crunchy, very, very juicy, big peach flavor. The yellow need a little sugar. Good for breakfast, lunch and dinner!
Posted by George Kenney on August 14, 2009 12:28 AM 
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Hi George,
Many farmers don't bother getting the organic certification because it's cost prohibitive. As one fairly involved in the issue, i think that the better way to ascertain the situation is to talk to the grower(s).
Find out what methods they use, because many growers are basically organic without being labeled as such. Furthermore, a grower who doesn't use chemical pesticides but does use chemical fertilizers cannot be called organic...though I've talked to people deeply involved in the organic movement (at the national level) who have no problem with fertilizer used correctly.
It is important to separate political "organic" from horticultural "organic".
Wish i could take a ride to sample the produce.
Lex
[Thanks, Lex — I'll check next time I'm out there. The corn I got this Saturday, btw, which was picked Saturday morning and which we ate Saturday evening, was the best I've had all summer. g.]
Posted by: Lex | August 17, 2009 3:07 PM