Ciesluk Farmstand — Local services in Deerfield

This morning I stopped at CIESLUK Farmstand because there was a fresh strawberry sign which I noticed yesterday and I have some fresh rhubarb, so a ‘Tart’ sounded delightful. And I have been overwhelmed with the quality and freshness of all the produce out here in western MASS, coming from the east side of the state. And, I love going to the farm stands and knowing that I may be paying a bit more but it is so worth it and supporting family farms is a bonus. I have been to Cirsluk Farmstand once before today, last season. That time I bought corn and blueberries and I was shocked when I went to pay that it was $20! I also, remember that visit because As I was looking around and checking out the offerings, I asked a few questions which were kind of rebuffed, like I was total ‘produce’ idiot for asking. And then my shock at the price was met with more disdain. But the idea of the first strawberries of the season drew me in and I happened to be driving up Route 5 for work so I pulled in and got out of my truck. There was one vehicle with an open hatch loaded with flowers and I moseyed over toward the outdoor plants to check things out. I admit I can be preoccupied or focused, so I guess I did not hear the person near the vehicle the first time or more likely didn’t know I was being spoken to, but then I when I understood it was me being addressed I was being told they were not open until 9 am. (It was 8:40am) I was like OK and was about to keep looking around and just wait the 20 minutes because I was on a mission for those strawberries! But then she said ‘No, we aren’t open and I’m working across the road.’ I was confused but the tone was basically SCRAM and and a bit rude, And of course my mind went back to the visit the year before and I realized that time was not a ‘fluke’ or just a bad day. They just don’t care unless they feel like caring. Kindness goes a long way. We are all losing our humanity. We need to slow down and be present. Be happy. I won’t go back, but the corn and blueberries were great. I just don’t like to feel like my patronage...

Great seasonal flowers and pumpkins. Wonderful baked goods and amazing meat and poultry. I’ve read some of the comments about pricing. Please remember you’re going to pay for quality. Ciesluk’s products surpass anything you would find at your big box stores. The 1/2 loaf of breads? Have you seen the slices?!?! They’re HUGE…1 slice equals 2 regular slices of bread! Their baked goods are homemade and not made with processed junk. Their flowers are hand picked for their farm stand and tended to several times throughout the day. The corn and the pumpkins, well they’re famous for their corn and also grow their own pumpkins as well. Whatever they don’t grow they source from other local family farms. As for not being friendly? I Have not found that in all the years I’ve been going there. What I do know is you get back what you put out. Be nice, support your local family farms and small businesses. If you can’t afford it…that’s okay…I’m sure they still love the fact that you stop by and admire their goods. Please also remember that farmers can’t control Mother Nature. So if you get a wonky ear of corn or if your carved pumpkin only lasts a week after you carve it…well, that’s life....

A quick stop, curious mostly, but looking for a snack and a flower pot/planter. Owner was curt and lost a sale.

I can see now in hindsight why the area and shelf on which I found the empty/used flower pot I was interested in buying is not a retail space; it is messy/unkempt and yet easily seen and accessed by browsing customers. Apparently there is signage, not readily visible, restricting passage.

What, I feel, a reasonable owner should be sorry for is the snide way she informed me of my mistake and the loss of a sale and future...