Nature's Sweet Bounty at Peak Ripeness
Enjoy the natural sweetness of fresh, seasonal fruit carefully selected for peak flavor and quality. Our fruit selection changes with the seasons, featuring locally-sourced options when available and premium regional fruit that arrives at the perfect moment of ripeness. From juicy summer melons to crisp fall apples, we bring you fruit the way nature intended - fresh, flavorful, and full of natural goodness.
Seasonal Fruit Calendar
Fresh Flavors Throughout the Growing Season
Late Summer (Current Season)
- Melons - Watermelon, sugar babies, muskmelon at peak sweetness
- Michigan Peaches - Juicy, tree-ripened varieties
- Nectarines - Smooth-skinned peach relatives
- Plums - Sweet and tart varieties
- Grapes
Early Fall Transition
- Early Apples - First varieties of the apple season
- Late Summer Melons - Sugar babies and specialty varieties
- Pears - When available from regional sources
Fall Harvest (September-October)
- Michigan Apples - Multiple varieties throughout the season
- Late Season Melons - Final harvest of summer's sweetness
- Winter Storage Fruits - Apples that keep well for months
Locally Sourced When Possible
Supporting Regional Fruit Growers
While we don't grow fruit trees on our farm, we work with trusted regional growers to bring you the freshest possible fruit, sourced as locally as our climate allows.
Regional Specialties
- Michigan Apples - From Michigan orchards known for quality
- Local Melons - Watermelons and Muskmelon from nearby farms
- Regional Stone Fruits - Peaches, nectarines, and plums when locally available
Our Sourcing Standards
- Peak Ripeness - Fruit selected at optimal eating quality
- Regional Priority - Local and regional sources preferred when available
- Quality First - Only fruit that meets our high standards
- Seasonal Timing - Each variety available at its natural peak season
Summer's Sweet Treasures
Melons, Stone Fruits & Summer Favorites
- Sugar Babies - Medium-sized, intensely sweet
- Traditional Large - Perfect for family gatherings and picnics
- Seedless Varieties - Convenient eating, great for kids
- Muskmelons - Fragrant, sweet varieties
- Specialty Melons - Unique varieties when available
- Michigan Peaches - Tree-ripened for maximum sweetness
- Nectarines - Smooth-skinned, intensely flavored
- Plums - Sweet and tart varieties in multiple colors
- Melons - Should feel heavy for their size, have a sweet aroma at stem end
- Peaches/Nectarines - Slight give when gently pressed, fragrant aroma
- Plums - Slight softness, good color, sweet fragrance
Fall's Apple Harvest
Michigan's Finest Apple Varieties
Fall brings the excitement of apple season! We feature multiple varieties of Michigan apples throughout the fall season, each with its own unique characteristics and best uses.
- Early Season - First apples of the fall harvest
- Mid-Season - Peak apple season varieties
- Late Season - Storage apples that keep well through winter
- Specialty Varieties - Unique and heirloom types when available
- Eating Apples - Crisp, sweet varieties perfect for fresh consumption
- Cooking Apples - Varieties that hold their shape and flavor when cooked
- Baking Apples - Best choices for pies, crisps, and desserts
- Storage Apples - Varieties that keep well for winter enjoyment
- Fresh Eating - Crisp varieties for snacking and lunch boxes
- Pie Making - Apples that maintain texture and don't get mushy
- Applesauce - Varieties that cook down smoothly
- Apple Butter - Traditional cooking varieties for rich flavor
Bulk Purchasing Options
Stock Up on Seasonal Favorites
Take advantage of peak season by purchasing fruit in larger quantities - perfect for preservation projects, large families, or simply stocking up on seasonal favorites.
Half-Bushel Options Available
- Apples - Perfect for pie making, applesauce, and storage
- Peaches - Ideal for canning, freezing, and preserving
- Other Seasonal Fruits - When available in sufficient quantities
Benefits of Bulk Fruit Purchases:
- Better Value - Savings on larger quantities
- Preservation Projects - Stock up for canning, freezing, and drying
- Family Events - Perfect for large gatherings and celebrations
- Seasonal Storage - Enjoy peak-season flavors throughout the year
Pre-Order Recommendations
For half-bushel quantities, especially during peak apple season, we recommend calling ahead to ensure availability and reserve your preferred varieties
Fruit Quality & Freshness
How We Ensure Peak Flavor
Quality Selection Process
- Peak Ripeness - Fruit selected at optimal eating quality
- Daily Inspection - All fruit checked for quality and freshness
- Proper Storage - Climate-appropriate storage maintains quality
- Quick Turnover - Fresh deliveries ensure peak quality
What This Means for You
- Maximum Flavor - Fruit at its peak taste and sweetness
- Better Nutrition - Peak ripeness means optimal nutrient content
- Longer Enjoyment - Quality fruit lasts longer after purchase
- No Waste - You're not paying for fruit that's past its prime
Selection & Storage Guidance
Expert Tips for Maximum Enjoyment
- Melons - Heavy for size, sweet aroma, slight give at blossom end
- Stone Fruits - Slight softness, good color, fragrant smell
- Apples - Firm, crisp texture, bright color, no soft spots
- General Rule - Trust your nose - ripe fruit should smell sweet and fragrant
- Melons - Ripen at room temperature, refrigerate when ripe
- Stone Fruits - Ripen on counter, refrigerate to slow ripening
- Apples - Store in refrigerator for longest life
- Berries - Refrigerate immediately, don't wash until ready to eat
- Speed Ripening - Place fruit in paper bag with banana or apple
- Slow Ripening - Refrigerate to slow the ripening process
- Check Daily - Fruit can go from perfect to overripe quickly
Preservation & Cooking Ideas
Making the Most of Seasonal Abundance
- Melons - Fresh fruit salads, smoothies, agua frescas
- Stone Fruits - Fresh eating, fruit salads, grilled for desserts
- Apples - Fresh slices, apple crisp, homemade applesauce
- Freezing - Peaches, berries, and cut apples for smoothies and baking
- Canning - Applesauce, peach preserves, fruit butters
- Dehydrating - Apple chips, dried fruit for snacking
- Fresh Storage - Proper apple storage for winter enjoyment
- Peach Season - Fresh peach pie, peach preserves, frozen peaches
- Apple Season - Apple pie, cider making, apple butter
- Melon Season - Fresh fruit salads, melon agua fresca, frozen treats
Nutritional Benefits
Nature's Healthy Sweet Treats
Natural Nutrition
- Vitamins - High in vitamin C, vitamin A, and other essential nutrients
- Fiber - Natural dietary fiber for digestive health
- Antioxidants - Natural compounds that support overall health
- Hydration - High water content helps maintain hydration
Seasonal Health Benefits
- Summer Fruits - High water content helps with hot weather hydration
- Fall Fruits - Vitamin C boost as cold season approaches
- Year-Round - Natural sugars provide energy without processed additives
Complementary Products
Everything You Need for Fruit Enjoyment
Perfect Pairings from Our Market:
- Fresh Herbs - Mint for fruit salads, basil for unique combinations
- Preserves - Our homemade fruit preserves complement fresh fruit
- Honey - Local honey pairs beautifully with fresh fruit
- Seasonal Vegetables - Create complete seasonal meals
Why Choose Our Fresh Fruits?
The Big John's Fresh Fruit Advantage
- Each fruit available at its optimal season and ripeness
- No off-season fruit that's traveled thousands of miles
- Regional sourcing when possible for maximum freshness
- Every piece of fruit inspected for quality
- Only fruit that meets our high standards makes it to our displays
- Expert knowledge about peak seasons and variety characteristics
- Staff can advise on ripeness, storage, and best uses
- Recommendations for cooking, preserving, and fresh eating
- Help selecting the right varieties for your specific needs
- Michigan apple growers and regional fruit farms
- Keeping food dollars in the regional economy
- Maintaining connections to seasonal, agricultural rhythms
Planning Your Fruit Purchases
Seasonal Timing and Selection
- Peak Season - Each fruit has its optimal time for selection and value
- Early Morning - Best selection right after fresh deliveries
- Weekdays - More time for personalized advice and selection help
- Summer - Focus on melons and stone fruits at peak season
- Fall - Apple season brings the best selection and value
- Follow Weather - Harvest timing can vary with seasonal conditions
- Reusable Bags - Protect delicate fruit during transport
- Cooler - For longer shopping trips or warm weather transport
- Preservation Supplies - If planning bulk purchases for canning or preserving
Follow our Facebook page for updates on seasonal fruit availability, peak harvest times, and special varieties as they become available.
Ready to Enjoy Nature's Sweetness?
Visit our farm market and discover fruit the way it's meant to be enjoyed - fresh, seasonal, and bursting with natural flavor.
From summer's juicy melons to fall's crisp apples, we're here to help you make the most of each season's special offerings!