Wilts Fruit Stand - Fresh Produce and Family Traditions for Over 50 Years

The History of Wilts Fruit Stand

Wilts Fruit Stand is a beloved local institution that has been serving fresh produce to the community for over 50 years. The stand was first opened in 1972 by Don and Betty Wilt, who saw the need for high quality, farm-fresh fruits and vegetables in their small rural town.

Don Wilt inherited his love of farming and agriculture from his father. As a child, Don spent his summers working on his family's orchard, learning skills like pruning trees, nurturing crops, and harvesting ripe produce. He dreamed of one day having an orchard and fruit stand of his own.

Starting the Family Business

After Don and Betty got married, they purchased a plot of land that came with a small peach orchard and used all their savings to build a wooden farm stand along the two-lane highway running through town. The first day they opened Wilts Fruit Stand in early June, customers poured in seeking the sweet, fragrant peaches and nectarines grown right there on the property.

Encouraged by the enthusiastic response, Don and Betty expanded the offerings at Wilts to include other fruits and vegetables from their orchard and garden like apples, pears, tomatoes, squash, and peppers. They also sourced additional seasonal produce like strawberries and sweet corn from fellow local farmers and neighbors.

Growing the Business

Over the next few decades, Don and Betty lovingly grew the fruit stand into a bustling local business. Their three children Don Jr., Susan, and James all helped out at the stand, manning cash registers, stocking produce, making signs, and serving customers.

Don was passionate about growing the juiciest, most delicious fruits and took great pride in the quality of the produce at Wilts. Customers returned year after year for the farm-fresh taste they couldn't find elsewhere, even as large chain grocery stores came into town.

Fruit and Vegetable Offerings

Today, Wilts Fruit Stand sells a wide variety of freshly picked produce in season. Third generation owner James Wilt oversees operations on the very same farmland his grandparentsfirst planted over 50 years ago. He nurtures many of the heirloom fruit tree varietals, like the tangy Winesap apples and lush Elberta peaches, that have been growing here for decades.

Fruits

In summer, you’ll find buckets brimming with juicy red cherries and hearty apricots. Late summer brings plums and nectarines, while crisp apples and pears headline the autumn harvest. Wilts grows over 20 types of apples including perennial favorites like Honeycrisp, Fuji, and Mutsu.

Vegetables

The vegetable stand features amazing sweet corn, plump tomatoes, and squash blossoms in summer. As the season transitions to fall, sprawling pumpkins, hardy greens, and root vegetables like potatoes and carrots take center stage. Customers love Wilts’ heirloom offerings like giant Prize Winning Hubbard squash and Early Wonder Tall Top beets.

Seasonal Produce

Wilts also offers seasonally available fruits and veggies from trusted local farms including berries, stone fruits like plums and peaches, and delightful orchard oddities like pawpaws. Special limited-time finds might include ramps, heirloom apples, or foraged berries, so check back often!

Where Local Flavor Shines

From those first sweet peaches in early summer to the last hard squash harvested before winter frost, Wilts Fruit Stand is a beloved community treasure. Visitors not only enjoy the very best-tasting locally grown produce, but a unique family business with deep roots and a commitment to growing traditions.

A Family Legacy

Current owner and operator James Wilt sees himself as both farmer and steward of his family’s legacy tending the land and trees first planted by his grandparents over 50 years ago. Just like Don Wilt bonding with his father working their family orchard, James’ young children often join him to nurture crops and learn skills carrying on traditions for the next generation.

Community Gathering Place

Beyond fruits and vegetables, Wilts Fruit Stand has grown into a community gathering space where people visit as much for the conversation as the produce. Neighbors reconnect while selecting summer corn, kids giggle over silly looking squash blossoms, and everyone looks forward to seeing what’s fresh each visit. For many, visiting Wilts is a beloved ritual welcoming every season.

Fresh and Local Favorite

Of course, it’s the amazing taste of vine-ripened fruit, sweet summer tomatoes, and crisp autumn apples that brings most people back to Wilts Fruit Stand every year. Increasingly, customers appreciate knowing exactly where their food comes from too, a transparency ensured by Wilts’ deep local roots going back over 50 years. That local, trustworthy sourcing means flavor and freshness you just can’t find elsewhere.

Tips for Selecting the Best Produce

Choosing ripe, delicious fruits and vegetables is an art honed over decades for produce experts like the team at Wilts Fruit Stand. Use these pro tips during your next visit to pick flavourful berries, tender greens, sweet corn, and perfect peaches!

Seeking Sweet Corn

Select corn with fresh, green husks that have plenty of visible kernels showing through when peeled back. Silks should look healthy, not dried out. The cob itself if ripe will release a milky juice when pierced with your fingernail.

Berry Best Bounty

Always look for plump, dry berries without leaking juices or mold. Depending on type, ideal berries should range from deep red and purple to blue-black. Softer berries like raspberries and blackberries shouldn’t be crushed or mushy.

Peach Perfect

A ripe peach will feel slightly soft, yielding a bit to gentle palm pressure. Peaches release a lovely fruity aroma when perfectly ripe too. The red skin background should transition to a deep golden hue. A few small blemishes just add to that fresh-picked charm.

Storing Produce to Last

Proper storage is key to enjoying Wilts Fruit Stand’s amazing produce for longer whether it’s berries, tender greens like lettuce, orhearty winter squash. Follow these produce storage tips and tricks to reduce waste and keep flavor at its peak!

Berries

Commonly available berries like strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries will last over a week when refrigerated in a vented container. Don’t wash until ready to eat. Soaking causes premature spoilage. Spreading a paper towel in the container absorbs excess moisture.

Greens

Lettuces, spinach, kale, and chard stay crisp up to 7 to 10 days stored unwashed in plastic bags with dry paper towels to wick away moisture. Poke a few small holes for ventilation. Removing any damaged outer leaves also reduces spoiling.

Winter Squash

Hard squash varieties including butternut, acorn, and pumpkin last for many months. The key is a dry, cool (50 to 60°F) dark spot like a non-heated basement, pantry, or garage. Periodically check for mold or soft spots. Any cut squash should be wrapped and refrigerated.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.