By ALEXI COHAN
Speical to The Republican
LUDLOW - Drop by Randall's Farm and you can find much more than plants for the garden or produce for your dinner table.
The greenhouse is blooming all season long, the store is brimming with the freshest of local produce and, at the creamery, you can find plenty of treats to satisfy the sweet tooth.
The family-run business is all about serving its community, from employing young people to meeting the needs of customers old and new.
Owner Karen Randall, of Ludlow, says, "I think (the farm is) pretty diverse; you can buy lunch, you can buy fresh fruit and vegetables, and you can buy and an ice cream on your way out!"
This diverse offering starts at the greenhouse where Randall's celebrated National Rose Month during June with plenty of roses to purchase ready to plant. Many other plants are in abundance, including everything from annuals to perennials. May and June are the busiest months of the year at the farm, especially because local produce like snap peas are now available, Randall said.
Strawberry season is now followed by the arrival of everything from squash to sweet corn as the produce arrives daily from regional fields.
For a homemade sweet treat, 30 flavors of hard ice cream are ready for summer crowds. Elsie's Creamery, named in honor of Randall's mother, offers some new flavors like tart yogurt as well favorites like chocolate peanut butter. Half gallons are available for $9.50 and a small cone at the window is $3.88.
Every year, Randall's donates an ice cream flavor to the Boys and Girls Club auction which allows the winner to name their own ice cream and describe what they want in it. So, this summer be sure to try the Pioneer Valley Financial "lava dough," which is chocolate ice cream with cookie dough, raspberry swirl, and marshmallow swirl. If you are looking for a little something more than ice cream, Randall's kitchen caters summer events, and wine tastings are held every Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. Beer tastings are on tap on Saturdays from 1 to 3 p.m.
"We have a little bit of everything all summer long," said Randall, "and, your shopping can be one stop."
Randall's Farm, located at 631 Center St., is open Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.