My family went to a ‘one of a kind’ Modesto u-pick farm. What we got on a budget
Agriculture is woven into the fabric of Stanislaus County.
From dairies and orchards to fields of fresh produce, farming plays a major role in the region’s economy.
For families looking to experience that firsthand, several local farms open their gates each year for u-pick adventures, offering everything from blueberries and cherries to strawberries and flowers.
Modesto Bee reader Ashley Sarkis recommended I check out VanderHelm Farms for an On a Budget outing.
“They have the freshest produce around,” Ashley said. “It’s a one of a kind experience for all ages and family types.”
Mother-and-son duo Corrie VanderHelm-Davis and Ron VanderHelm transformed their family dairy farm into a blueberry farm about 17 years ago, The Bee previously reported.
“This is a favorite summer spot for my family and our young son,” Ashley said.
With that in mind, I readied my two toddlers, recruited my sisters for backup and headed to VanderHelm Farms to find out just how much fun $25 can buy.
Here’s how we spent an afternoon picking fruit in Stanislaus County:
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWhy we did this story
Let’s face it, living in Modesto and going out can be expensive. That’s why Modesto Bee service journalism reporter Angela Rodriguez is bringing you along on her budget-friendly adventures. Born and raised in the Central Valley, Angela wants to help her fellow residents navigate life in the region (and have fun) without breaking the bank.
Where is Stanislaus County u-pick farm?
You can find VanderHelm Farms at 1678 Albers Road in Modesto.
The u-pick farm is open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday through Saturday.
What is there to do at VanderHelm Farms?
Before heading out, I did a little research on what to expect when visiting the farm.
VanderHelm Farms has a 4.9-star rating on Google. Reviewers praised its family-friendly atmosphere, with a picnic area, farm animals and a play space for children.
“There is a big tractor they turned in to a play area that kids can climb, and it has slides,” Ashley said.
She recommended that we bring plenty of water, sunscreen and a hat, along with wearing closed-toe shoes.
We arrived at VanderHelm Farms around noon.
The farm was peaceful, with employees tending to their work and a handful of visitors scattered throughout the fields picking fruit.
Before unloading our crew, I checked with employees to make sure outside food was allowed and that we could pay with a card. Thankfully, the answer to both questions was yes.
My sister had scored a free pizza from work, and we packed a few drinks from home for a picnic.
We settled into a shaded picnic area where a light breeze helped keep the afternoon heat at bay. After lunch, my 4-year-old daughter immediately made a beeline for the swings and teeter-totter, while her 1-year-old sister followed close behind.
The girls were especially excited to explore the giant tractor playground parked beside the picnic tables.
They happily played for about 20 minutes while my sisters and I cleaned up and prepared for fruit picking.
Next, we headed into the barn, where a row of red wagons awaited visitors.
“Take advantage of their wagons,” Ashley said. “They come in handy for carrying your buckets of fruit, water, belongings and the kiddos if they get tired.”
We grabbed two wagons — one for the girls and one for whatever fruit we managed to collect. Employees also pointed us toward buckets for sorting our harvest.
What’s for sale at VanderHelm Farms?
From March to August, VanderHelm Farms offers a variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables for visitors to pick themselves.
U-pick strawberries are available for $3 per pound, while the blueberries cost $4.30 per pound.
Blueberry lovers have plenty of options to choose from.
Sweeter blueberry varieties include Snowchaser, Springhigh, Star, Ventura, San Joaquin, Jewel, Meadowlark, Victoria, Top Shelf and Blue Ribbon.
For visitors who prefer a more tart flavor, Legacy blueberries are also available.
Peaches, including Galaxy Donut, Earlirich and Rich Lady varieties, are priced at $3 per pound.
Apriums — a cross between apricots and plums — including Leah Cot and Escort varieties, are available for $3 per pound.
The farm’s nectarines, including Honey Blaze, Honey Kist and Polar Kist varieties, cost $3 a pound. So do pluots.
Visitors can also pick up fresh zucchini for $1 each.
With buckets in hand and wagons ready to haul our harvest, we set off into the fields to see what we could find.
How I spent my $25 budget at a Stanislaus County u-pick farm
My two sisters, two daughters and I went straight to the strawberry fields.
Strawberries are one of my favorite fruits — so much so that my kitchen is decorated with strawberry-themed decor. Naturally, they were first on my list.
Despite the scorching temperatures and plenty of walking, my daughters were having the time of their lives. They darted between rows of fruit, carefully searching for the biggest, reddest strawberries they could find.
Once we had filled a bucket with strawberries, my oldest daughter requested that our next stop be blueberries.
If you’ve ever had a toddler, you know berries disappear almost as soon as you buy them.
We spent the next stretch of our adventure filling a bucket about halfway with blueberries before making our way over to the peach trees.
By then, we’d been exploring the farm for nearly two hours and everyone was starting to feel the heat. We only picked seven peaches, but they were large enough to fill another bucket.
When all was said and done, we left the fields with a bucket full of strawberries, half a bucket of blueberries and a handful of fresh peaches.
Is VanderHelm Farms affordable?
Back at the barn, employees weighed and packaged our fruit.
This was our final haul:
- 1.8 pounds of peaches for $5.40
- 2.2 pounds of strawberries for $6.60
- 2 pounds of blueberries for $8.60
The grand total came to $20.60.
Just a week earlier, I had spent nearly $30 on strawberries, blueberries and peaches at my local grocery store. Not only did we spend less at VanderHelm Farms, but we also got an afternoon of fun.
This easily became one of my favorite budget-friendly adventures in Stanislaus County.
Thanks so much for recommending we visit VanderHelm Farms, Ashley! My family and I are so glad you shared this spot with us.
Where should I go next?
Have any ideas for where I should go next in or around Modesto? I’m exploring the area on a $25 budget.
Send your suggestions to arodriguez@modbee.com or fill out the form below.
Can’t see the form? Go to tinyurl.com/3euwab47.
