Finding fun, family-friendly outings that are easy on the wallet can sometimes be a difficult task. One idea that I always recommend to families is to go picking fruits and vegetables at a local farm. While many people go apple-picking in the fall, berry-picking in the summer is one of my favourite things to do (see where to stop for raspberries on your way to Gaspesie).
Why Berry-Picking is a Great Activity
I think berry picking makes a great activity because you get to support local farmers and producers. As urban centres grow and sprawl out, it is often at the expense of agricultural land. Therefore, I think it’s important to show solidarity with the farming community.
Another advantage of fruit picking is that it gets kids to spend time outdoors and engage with nature. They can run around in the fields, enjoy the sunshine and learn where their food comes from.
Another advantage is that by having children pick their own fruits it makes them more likely to want to taste it. My nephew can be an incredibly picky eater but I was amazed how many blueberries he ate while we were picking them. He definitely was not helpful in filling up the basket! One of my favourite sights is him sitting on the grass and leisurely picking blueberries and eating them.
Lastly, it financially makes sense to spend your money on a need such as food. Instead of buying the fruits from the grocery store, you get it fresh from the plant and get to enjoy a day as a family.
Ferme des Petits Cailloux
This year I headed to the Circuit du Paysan in the Monteregie area to go blueberry picking. The Circuit du Paysan is a beautiful route along route 202 that allows you to visit and sample a number of local produces from wineries to cheese makers.
For this outing, I went to Ferme des Petit Cailloux (2635 Rte 202) in Franklin. I actually lucked out when I went and got to pick both raspberries and blueberries. You have the option to purchase already picked fruits and vegetables or pick you own. We decided to bring a picnic lunch and enjoyed eating on one of the picnic tables overlooking the orchards. It cost 16$ for a large basket which I thought was quite affordable as the cost for an afternoon for four people.
For more information on the Circuit du Paysan check out their website.
