FrankenFruit is a family-run farm located in Bergen op Zoom, offering visitors the opportunity to pick their own fresh fruits and vegetables directly from the fields. The farm operates seasonally, typically from mid-June to mid-November, with its farm shop having limited opening hours outside this period, usually on Saturday mornings.
Visitors can self-pick a variety of produce, which includes vegetables such as kale, Hokkaido pumpkin, celeriac, parsley, lettuce, Swiss chard, Sweet Mama pumpkin, and fennel. Additionally, various soft fruits and plums are available for self-picking in their dedicated orchards and fields. Apples and pears, while sold in the farm shop, are not available for self-picking. The farm also features a flower picking garden with a limited selection.
Beyond self-picking, FrankenFruit provides a range of activities and services for groups and individuals. These include guided tours of the farm, cooking workshops utilizing seasonal produce, and tasting sessions of both raw and prepared farm products. The farm also hosts children’s parties, offering treasure hunts, pumpkin painting (in season), cake baking, and access to a playground with pedal tractors. For adults and businesses, there are options for brunches or lunches featuring locally sourced ingredients, puzzle scavenger hunts, fruit tree pruning courses, and the rental of a meeting room with orchard views.
Operating for five generations, FrankenFruit emphasizes local, fresh produce, aiming for minimal intermediate trade to ensure fair prices for farmers and direct connection with customers. The farm promotes sustainability through compostable packaging, encouraging visitors to bring their own bags, and processing leftover fruit into products like juices, jams, ciders, and sorbet ice cream, which are available for purchase in their shop. Payment at the farm is by card only, and there is no entrance fee.
What visitors say
This self-picking farm and accompanying shop consistently receive high praise from visitors, establishing itself as a delightful destination for families and individuals alike. Guests frequently commend the superb quality and freshness of the produce, which includes a wide seasonal variety of fruits like cherries, apples, plums, and berries, alongside various vegetables and even flowers for picking. Many visitors highlight the enjoyment and educational value of the self-picking experience, especially for children who love learning where their food comes from while having fun outdoors.
Beyond the fields, the farm features a shop offering freshly picked items, as well as homemade products such as jams, apple syrup, juices, and ice cream made from their own fruit. Fresh eggs from the free-range chickens are also a popular item. The staff, including the owners, are consistently described as friendly, helpful, and engaged, contributing significantly to the positive atmosphere.
The farm is particularly well-suited for families, providing playgrounds, go-karts (though some were noted to be in disrepair in one review), and opportunities for children to interact with farm animals like chickens. While most appreciate the pricing as good, reasonable, or affordable, a few reviews mention that some processed products like jam can be on the pricier side. Minor criticisms include occasional limitations in selection due to seasonality, which the owners address by encouraging visitors to check their website or newsletter beforehand. There were isolated incidents of unclear signage or inconsistent information regarding what could be picked, and one visitor expressed concern about the farm’s proximity to a highway. However, these are exceptions, as the overwhelming sentiment points to a wonderful, often revisited, experience, celebrated for its fresh produce, family-friendly activities, and the overall charm of farm life. The farm’s dedication to sustainable and ethical farming practices is also a recognized positive aspect.