Delicious Orchards facts for kids
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| Private | |
| Industry | Farmers' market |
| Founded | 1911 |
| Founder | Carroll W. Barclay |
| Headquarters |
Colts Neck, New Jersey, U.S.
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Key people
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Bill McDonald, President & CEO |
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Number of employees
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250-300 (2015) |
Delicious Orchards is a super popular farm and food market in Colts Neck, New Jersey, USA. It's known for its fresh produce and yummy baked goods. This place started over 100 years ago and has grown into a huge market.
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How Delicious Orchards Started
Delicious Orchards began way back in 1911. It was first a small orchard (a farm with fruit trees) on a country road. This road is now called CR 537.
In 1922, the Applegate family bought the orchard. Three generations of their family worked on the farm. Over the years, the orchard grew quite a lot. It became a big 110-acre farm.
From Orchard to Market
In the 1950s, Carroll W. Barclay took over the farm. He was the son of the original owners. Carroll had a new idea for the business. Instead of just selling fruits to other businesses, he wanted to sell directly to people.
In 1959, he tried something new. He brought wagons full of apples to the roadside. He set up a simple stand to sell them. This idea was a big hit!
Because it was so successful, a proper stand was built in 1960. It was about 1,200 square feet. This was the start of the modern Delicious Orchards we know today. Carroll's sister, Carolyn Barclay Smith, and her husband, William E. Smith, helped run the store. They worked hard for almost 25 years. They made sure everything was top quality.
The market started selling more than just apples. They added fresh apple cider and Janet Barclay's famous apple pie. They grew many kinds of apples. They picked them by hand when they tasted the best.
Growing into a Year-Round Business
In the 1960s, Delicious Orchards became a business that stayed open all year. They added more fresh produce and delicious baked goods.
In 1966, the Barclays bought a building on Route 34. This is where Delicious Orchards is located today. Moving indoors meant they could sell even more things. They started offering citrus fruits and different kinds of cheeses.
Delicious Orchards Today
Today, Delicious Orchards is a very popular spot. Over 2.5 million people visit it every year! That's a lot of visitors.
As of 2011, the farm has about 250 employees. During the busy fall season, this number goes up to 300. Visitors can find many fresh foods from different sections. These include fresh produce, a deli, a bakery, and a coffee and tea section. There's also seafood, a smoothie and juice bar, and prepared meals. You can also find organic foods and candy.
They also offer special services. You can get personalized gift baskets. They also do catering for events. Plus, they have curbside service, which means you can pick up your order without going inside.
Today, Bill and Linda McDonald own and run Delicious Orchards. Their four children, Keri, Chris, Mike, and Erin, also help out.
The market is located on Route 34. It's between Route 18 and County Route 537. Most visitors come from the local area in Monmouth County. But people also travel from New York City and the Jersey Shore to visit.
Fun Facts
- Famous rock musician Bruce Springsteen loves Delicious Orchards. He especially likes their homemade apple pies!
- Actress Melissa Rauch, who grew up nearby, also visits the market.
- Queen Latifah, another famous person who used to live in Colts Neck, has also been known to shop at Delicious Orchards.
