De Achterdijk, also known as Kromme Rijn Fruit, is a fruit farm and country shop situated in Bunnik, near Utrecht, within the fertile Kromme Rijn region, proudly referred to as ‘The Fruit Garden of Utrecht’. The farm specializes in cultivating a wide array of fruits, which are sold directly through its country shop, a 24/7 fruit vending machine, and an online shop for local pickup.
For customers, the country shop is open on Fridays and Saturdays from 9:30 to 17:00, with extended hours during cherry season (Monday to Thursday, 12:00-17:00). The fruit vending machine operates daily from 7:00 to 22:00, offering cooled produce with PIN payment. Beyond direct sales, De Achterdijk provides corporate fruit delivery services to businesses in the surrounding Utrecht area and creates custom gift packages featuring their own products and other regional delicacies. Group arrangements, including farm tours and cherry tasting, are also available.
The farm emphasizes natural, sustainable, and regional practices in its fruit cultivation. While self-picking of produce was offered in the past, particularly for strawberries on open days and during cherry season, it is currently not possible.
The produce grown on the farm includes:
- Apples: Varieties such as Wellant, Pinova, and Elstar.
- Pears: A specialty, with types like Conference, Doyenné du Comice, Sweet Sensation, B.A. Lukassen, Gieser Wildeman (stewing pears), Early Desire, and Beuré Alexander Lucas.
- Plums
- Strawberries: Specifically the Elsanta variety, grown on elevated racks.
- Cherries: A diverse range including Burlat, Merchant, Sweet Ariane, Samba, Giorgia, Kordia, Karina, and Regina, ensuring a long cherry season.
- Blueberries
In addition to their own fruits, the country shop stocks a variety of local products. these include seasonal vegetables (such as asparagus, sourced from specialized growers in other regions), fresh eggs from their own chickens, an assortment of regional cheeses, and various locally sourced meats like beef (Limousine and Blonde d’Aquitaine), chicken, turkey, game, and pork. Customers can also find processed fruit products like 100% pure juices, jams, and sauces, alongside other regional treats like honey, potatoes, onions, and local beverages such as beer, wine, and liqueurs.
What visitors say
This self-picking farm consistently garners praise for its delightful selection of fresh, locally sourced produce. Visitors frequently commend the high quality of fruits such as cherries, strawberries, and plums – the latter noted for their easy-to-remove pits – as well as various juices and delicious homemade ice cream, with cherry and blueberry flavors being particular highlights. The extensive range of vegetables, fruits, and other products available is a significant advantage, often facilitated by a convenient vending machine that provides access to these goods almost around the clock. Many customers also appreciate the welcoming and helpful nature of the staff.
However, the experience is not without its criticisms, particularly concerning the pricing and quality of cherries. Several customers have expressed disappointment, finding them excessively expensive and of poor quality, with some even reporting mold spots, especially when compared to more affordable and sweeter supermarket alternatives. Beyond cherries, the quality of other products can be inconsistent; some reviewers found the frozen meat to be subpar, pasta overpriced, and pancake mix rather unremarkable, while cheese was considered merely acceptable. A few visitors have also voiced disappointment regarding the overall ’experience,’ expecting more interactive engagement than what is offered by a simple self-service stall, suggesting a potential mismatch between online perceptions and the on-site reality. While the vending machine is lauded for its accessibility, some users perceive its prices to be on the higher side.