Pick Your Own Organic Produce at Bloomfield Farms

Like many families, we like to know exactly where our food is coming from. So that's why we're big fans of the u-pick Sundays at Bloomfield Farms in western Sonoma County. My kids love the opportunity to pick their own food, whether it's in our own backyard garden or at a local farm. While there are plenty of local farms that offer farmstands and sell at various farmers markets around the Bay Area, there aren't too many that offer a chance to go out into the field and pick your own veggies.

Bloomfield Farms is a certfied organic family farm located just west of Petaluma in Sonoma County. It's easy to get to, and makes for a fun Sunday family outing. Bloomfield Farms sells produce at farmers markets, supplies local markets, and provides CSA boxes to subscribers, but decided to start their u-pick event last summer so families could come experience how their food is grown and harvested.

Pull into to the farm and register at the counter with Nick, Jess or one of the farm staff. They're welcoming and enthusiastic, and will explain how the farm's u-pick Sunday works: head out into the fields, pick and cut vegetables, and fill your crate.

It costs $30 for everything that you can fit into the box. (For what it's worth, after our first visit I went to Whole Foods and priced out everything from our box and stopped counting when I hit $45…) Sturdy Wagons are available, too, which makes carrying your crate of veggies a lot easier (there's a limited number of wagons, so bring your own if you can). You might even get a chance to chat with Mike Collins, farmer at Bloomfield Farms, who's extremely knowledgable and passionate about what he grows.

We have an absolute blast walking up and down the rows of pristine organic vegetables looking for something intersting and delicious to being home and try. Bloomfield Farms offers an amazing variety of produce, including Swiss chard, lettuce, several varieties of kale (including dinosaur kale, our favorite), potatoes, cabbage, broccoli, zucchini, grean beans, tomatillos, herbs like parsley and basil, and more.

The kids loved to get dirty and dig up their own potatoes. My daughter, whose favorite vegetable is broccoli (believe it or not), was amazed to see how broccoli grew out on the farm, and was thrilled to be able to select and cut her own heads to eat for dinner. They were also fascinated by the redbor kale, which looks like small trees sprouting deeply curled deep magenta leaves. The scenery around the farm is amazing, too.

Head back to the farmstand and box up your goodies to bring home. It helps to have your own bags or boxes, but they'll give you one if you need it. The farm also offers pre-cut herbs like basil and rosemary and fresh free range eggs; you'll probably see some of the hens wandering around the farm while you're there.

Bring your lunch and have a picnic at the farm's picnic table before or after you pick your veggies. We had so much fun, and $30 for a big box of amazing seasonal produce really is a bargain. Of course you have to pick it yourself, but that's most of the fun! The farms also offers special programs like crafts for kids, and even a "pay-what-you-can" Farm Fun Brunch by noted local chefs like John Lyle on selected weekends. It's definitely a must-do family activity this summer and fall!

If You Go

Bloomfield Farms is located 12250 Valley Ford Road in the little town of Bloomfield just northwest of Petaluma. It's scenic drive of approximately 45 minutes from central Marin. To get there, take Highway 101 to the Washington Street exit in Petaluma. Turn left at the stop light onto Washington Street and follow it until it becomes Bodega Avenue. Follow Bodega Avenue into the Two Rock Valley area, then bear right as Bodega Avenue becomes Valley Ford Road. Bloomfield Farms will be on your left just after Bloomfield Road—look for the sign.

U-pick at Bloomfield Farms is offered on Sundays from 10 am to 2 pm. An RSVP to upick@bloomfieldfarmsorganics.com or on the farm's Facebook page is appreciated, but not essential. The cost is $30 per box of produce; cash only.

Bring a knife (a pocket knife or even a serrated bread knife is fine) and gloves, as well as hats and sunscreen, as there's not a lot of shade out in the fields. Also, make sure you pack light jackets or sweatshirts, as the weather out near the coast is notoriously fickle. Sturdy shoes or boots and clothes that you don't mind getting dirty are likewise a must; this is a working farm, after all. A portable toilet restroom is available, as well as drinking water, but you might want to bring your own, just in case.

For more information on Bloomfield Farm, visit www.bloomfieldfarmorganics.com. If you visit, make sure you tell Nick that you heard about it here.