YORK COUNTY — The desire for local produce and products hasn’t gone out of style. The proof is in the longevity of two farm stands in York County: Patten’s Berry Farm in Kennebunkport and Snell Family Farm in Buxton. Both farm stands have been in business for decades and offer a variety of locally grown produce from springtime until early winter.

Patten’s Berry Farm is divided between two locations that serve different purposes to the business. Husband and wife co-owners, Donald and Dawn Patten have been running the farm in Gorham for about 66 years and the stand in Kennebunkport has been operating for 37. The Gorham location is where the growing happens with 15 green houses sitting on the land. Over there, strawberry picking season is prime from when they open on May 1 to about mid-July. Both locations are open seven days a week from May 1 and they try to stay open to around Christmas time.

Though strawberry picking is about over, the Kennebunkport farm stand is still bursting with all sorts of fresh goods to choose from. They have some of those fresh strawberries there along with blueberries, tomatoes and other fruits and vegetables. Dawn Patten says that right now is a good time to get corn and zucchini that they’ve grown and picked themselves. They also use their own produce in so me of their fresh baked goods, like pies. The Kennebunkport stand also houses products from other local companies that sell items such as canned goods, jams, maple syrup and flowers to accompany the ones they grow on the farm.

Snell Family Farm, located in Buxton, has been a family-owned and run business since 1926. Now run by the grandson of the original owner and his wife, John and Ramona Snell keep the farm thriving all year long.  The current hours for the vegetable stand are Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Across the way from the vegetable stand are the Snell apple orchards where apple picking will begin on Labor Day weekend. Between the stand and the orchards, Snell’s is open up until the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.  Winter hours are typically every other Saturday from December through March.

Tricia Guay, the market cashier of the vegetable stand has been with the company for seven years. Guay says that what is in season right now is their variety of tomatoes: heirloom, green, plum and cherry. She also says that the season for pickling is prime and they offer cucumbers and green beans for people to come pick and pickle. Near fall, Guay says that they’ll be adding melons, winter squash, flat beans and yellow beans.

Snell’s also carries canned goods such as pickles and company-made jams. You can enjoy freshly baked goods they make themselves and flower arrangements made by Carolyn Snell, the daughter of John and Ramona.

Patten’s Berry Farm and Snell Family Farm have many varieties of produce grown and available throughout the seasons. The true beauty of local farm stands is the time behind them. The time that is put into the preparation, the harvest and rotation is out of commitment and honed skills.

Patten’s Berry Farm has two locations, one on 76 North Street, Kennebunkport, and another on 269 County Rd, Gorham. Both locations are open seven days a week 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, call the Kennebunkport location at 967-2418 and the Gorham location at 839-4667. Information is also available on their website: http://www.pattensberryfarm.com/ and their Facebook page @PattensBerryFarm.

Snell Family Farm is located at 1000 River Road in Buxton. They are open Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call 929-6166 or visit their website https://www.snellfamilyfarm.com/ and Facebook page @snellfamilyfarm.