Classic Towns News

With more than 1,700 farms, Chester County is the second largest producer of agricultural goods in the state. Farms in and near the Classic Towns of Kennett Square, West Chester, and Phoenixville grow some of the most delicious produce around. And thanks to strong local support, they’re growing a new crop of food artisans, too.

As many people know, Kennett Square is the “mushroom capital of the world.” Phillips Mushroom Farms has been growing mushrooms in Kennett Square since 1927. It’s the largest grower of specialty mushrooms in the country. Their annual crop includes roughly 35 million pounds of portabella, crimini, shiitake, oyster, maitake, and enoki as well as other varieties. Phillips’ mushrooms can be found at retailers up and down the east coast of the United States and Canada. They can also be purchased at The Woodlands, the Farm’s retail store which stocks fresh, jarred, and dried mushrooms as well as unique mushroom-themed gifts.

There are several other smaller mushroom farms located in or near the Borough, including Cordivano Brothers Mushrooms who have been growing mushrooms for over 60 years. In 2008, the Cordivano Brothers were awarded the Chester County Farmer of the Year Award. Their products are available at Farm House Markets in West Chester, a market that features a wide selection of locally grown produce and foods.

You can also explore the world of wine in Chester County. Paradocx Vineyard has a newly expanded Wine Shop & Cafe at The Shoppes at Longwood Village in Kennett Square. The Shop features over 20 varieties of Paradocx wine (made in Landenberg, PA) for customers to pair with foods from local vendors. Oenophiles can also sample wine from Kreutz Creek Vineyards (made in West Grove, PA) at their tasting room in downtown West Chester. Here, guests are invited to BYOF – “Bring Your Own Food” to pair with their wine. Va La Vineyards in Avondale is another popular destination for wine enthusiasts. Here samples are served alongside foods from local Chester County Farms.

More in the mood for dairy? Bailys Dairy at Pocopson Meadow Farm is a fourth-generation family farm that produces hormone free, 100% natural milk and dairy products in West Chester. Guests can visit this 122-acre historic farm seven days a week to purchase milk and ice cream made on-site. They also stock select products from nearby farms. Bailys Dairy also offers group tours and birthday parties.

In Phoenixville, Seven Stars Farm has been crafting organic yogurt since 1988. Their yogurt is made with unhomogenized, pasteurized milk, and comes in three whole milk flavors: plain, maple and vanilla. Low-fat versions of the plain and maple can also be purchased at the farm or at natural food retailers throughout most of the eastern United States.

Coffee? In Chester County? Although there aren’t any coffee beans grown here, West Chester’s Golden Valley Farms has been selecting, roasting, and packaging coffee beans since 1986 as a family run and operated business. Customers can purchase their specialty artisan coffee at the factory outlet store, open Monday through Friday. Factory tours are also available.

As you can imagine, Chester County’s crop of farmers, growers, and culinary artisans is too big for one news story. So why not download Chester County’s Local Farm Products Guide? You’re sure to find a bounty of surprises.

Photo by J. Smith for GPTMC