Drazen Orchards

I purchased small items from Drazen Orchards a few times during the summer of 2015 when I was in the area for work and I was not impressed. There isn’t much in terms of variety. Just Drazen apples, pears, and a couple varieties of stone fruit. Everything else is brought in from other nearby farms and sold at a mark-​up. I’m always buying fruit in large quantities from a seemingly endless number of vendors, markets, and supermarkets all over the place, and I found myself unwilling to pay the high prices for fruit at Drazen Orchard’s market. A few items were reasonable, like tomatillos, for $ 1 a pound, but mostly everything sold there can be purchased from other local farmers for much cheaper.
In addition to this, the person who always seems to be running the register and answering the telephone is a little old Korean man named Juaney who seems nice enough, but you can never understand what he is saying. He’s also pretty slow. A few times I stood there for quite a spell with my coconut ice pop in one and hand and my money in the other, waiting for him to come to the register and ring me out. I witnessed at least two other customers who were unable to understand what Juaney was saying. In fact, I noticed that most of the employees at Drazen Orchards didn’t speak or understand English. Which is fine… but a customer service position might not be the best placement for someone who doesn’t speak the prevalent language of the customer base.
All things considered from the 3 to 5 times I purchased items at Drazen Orchards, I’d say they’ll do if you are in a pinch, but otherwise, there’s a lot of small, local farms struggling to keep afloat against agribusiness giants and they all could use your dollars as well. Most of them seem to take much more pride in offering great produce to their customers at a great price, and they don’t treat customers as an afterthought. Other farms also seem to have more integrity and take much more pride in their work. Just a few things I noticed in my short time shopping at Drazen Orchards.
Someone has since told me that Drazen Orchards sprays Roundup all around their fruit trees to keep the grass at bay. As the premier commercial product of Monsanto, you’d think any self-​respecting farmer with any concern for their customers or the environment would avoid Roundup at all costs.

Wonderful family owned farm that does a great job supplying the locals with fresh fruits and veggies. My father SWEARS by the white peaches, be mindful if you are on the lookout for them, they only come out for 1 – 2 weeks per year! All of the fruits and veggies I purchased are fresh and crisp, and never had a bad experience.

Excellent selection of fresh fruit and vegetables! Not only do they carry fruit and vegetables grown on their farm, most, if not all, of their fresh stuff is from other local CT farms.
Check it out if you’re in the area!

Holy crap. Peaches (yellow and white) and nectarines to die for. While they seem too firm and not quite smelling «peachy» enough to be ripe, give them one day at room temperature and prepare to fall in love.
Zestar apples are also quite a treat. they are an early season honey crisp-​like apple. Firm, juicy, and sweet.
Very friendly and helpful staff.
Pick your own is available.