Farms across Hillsborough offer opportunity for fresh, local produce for your holiday feast
Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and it might be time to start preparing your feast.
One way to help support local businesses this Thanksgiving is by buying from local farms. In Hillsborough, there are several options for fresh produce, meats and even ice cream!
For those looking for homegrown vegetables, stop by Broken Spoke Farm at 5601 St. Marys St. The business' farm stand offers organically grown asparagus, blueberries and blackberries. There's also seasonal vegetables and salad greens, such as butternut squash and arugula.
Broken Spoke Farm visitors can also chow down on unique soft serve flavors. The farm has previously offered cinnamon, apple cider sorbet and pear and honey soft serve.
Another option to buy fresh produce is Coon Rock Farm at 1021 Dimmocks Mill Road. The farm raises antibiotic and hormone-free chicken, eggs, pigs and lamb, according to its website.
The animals are also pastured raised and grass fed, according to Coon Rock Farm.
According to the Mayo Clinic, grass-fed beef has better heart health benefits such as lower fat content and more antioxidant vitamins.
Coon Rock Farm also has options for veggie lovers! Visitors can buy eggplant, collards, rainbow swiss chard and dozens of other produce items. The farm, which is currently owned by Richard and Jamie Holcomb, also offers create-your-own boxes. People can choose from a standard box of produce or have eggs, meat and milk included.
If you need some inspiration for what to create with the homegrown produce, Coon Rock Farm also has dozens of recipes on its website.
Those who want to make a family outing out of a trip to Hillsborough can visit Eno River Farm at 2127 St. Marys Road. The farm rotates what's available based on the seasons. Fall brings pumpkins and mums while winter brings poinsettias and Christmas trees to get your home ready for the holiday season.
Plant lovers needing more decor for their house are in luck to. Eno River Farm has a large greenhouse filled with greenery available to purchase.
Those heading to Hillsborough shouldn't leave without stopping by Maple View Farm Ice Cream, a community staple. Visitors can eat homemade ice cream and watch the sun set over the vast, rolling landscape of farmland that surrounds the ice cream shop.
While the company recently underwent changes and is now getting milk and other dairy products from a farm in Ayden, the ice cream shop is here to stay in Hillsborough.
The menu features staples such as butter pecan, cookie dough and Carolina crunch, but also offers rotating monthly flavors. Rum raisin, s'mores and butter cookie dough are just a few of the past special flavors the ice cream company has made.
If you can't get enough of the ice cream, the store offers pints for people to take home, along with other dairy products like butter and milk.
