If you are short on time or do not wish to take a drive through the countryside but still want the farmstand experience, the city of West Bend has stands that are open on a more consistent basis and are staffed with friendly, helpful farm kids who are very knowledgeable about their products.
In the city of West Bend farm stands are found on West Washington Street and 15th Avenue. There are usually two stands on the south side of the street that compete with each other. Owned by Kok Farms and Alsum Farms, the two stands have their own loyal followings, but the competition keeps the prices low. We recently paid just $3.00 for a half dozen ears of sweet corn and it was some of the best we ever had.
On the southern end of West Bend the same two farm families have stands on opposite sides of South Main street, just south of Decorah Road. These stands offer the same produce as the stands on West Washington Street. (If you are lucky you may even get to see the bald man with a corn cob painted on his head at one of these stands. He is quite the corn salesman!)
At the more urban farm stands you still have to pay with cash, but won’t need exact change. There is usually a tip jar on the stand for the employees there. HINT: If you put your tip in the jar in sight of the worker, you will often be rewarded with an extra ear or corn in your bag.
Whether you opt for the rural farm stands in the country or the stands in the city, you will have a shopping experience that is second to none. Either one gives you a true Wisconsin experience and you walk away smiling with a bag of goodies! After you hike, bike, kayak, play tennis, relax, or whatever you wish to do during a quick getaway from the city, and while staying at Hidden Serenity Bed and Breakfast, stop at a stand, grab some fresh produce to take home for the week. Enjoy!
