Oudebosch Fruit is a fruit farm situated in Niehove, operating alongside a city shop in Groningen. The farm prides itself on cultivating a wide array of fresh fruit directly from its own orchards, including numerous varieties of apples, cherries, and plums.
Visitors are invited to partake in a unique self-picking experience in the farm’s apple picking garden, where they can freely harvest apples, such as the Elstar variety, during specified opening hours from Monday to Saturday. This self-picking opportunity is also sometimes highlighted during school holidays.
Beyond the self-picking fields, Oudebosch Fruit’s farm and city shops, as well as its webshop, offer an extensive selection of produce. This includes various apple types (Collina, Delbare, Alkmene, Bellida, Cox’s Orange, Elstar, Santana, Wellant, Rode Goudrenette, Fuji, Golden Delicious, Jonagold, and historic varieties like Groninger Kroon, Notarisappels, Sterappels, Bramley’s Seedling), sweet cherries (Burlat, Johanna, Summit, Vanda, Kordia, Karina, Regina), and plums (Reine Victoria, Opal).
The offerings expand to include pure juices, jams, syrups, and fruit wines crafted from their own fruit, alongside hand and stewing pears, Groningen strawberries, and citrus fruits. The shops also stock a wide range of local and regional products, such as Groningen clay potatoes (Irene, Bildtstar, Eigenheimer, Rode Star, Frieslanders), various fresh vegetables (cauliflower, pumpkins, kale, celeriac), Groningen farmer’s cheese, meadow-raised meat, free-range eggs, dairy products, specialty beers, honey, nuts, pulses, and customized gift packages.
The farm further provides guided tours of its orchards and cold storage facilities for both individuals and groups, and offers a fruit pressing service for private individuals who wish to turn their own apples and pears into juice.
What visitors say
This farm shop garners overwhelmingly positive feedback from customers, who frequently laud the exceptional quality and freshness of its produce. Reviewers consistently highlight the “super fresh” seasonal fruits and vegetables, with particular acclaim for the delicious cherries, often considered the best in the area and typically available around late July. The store is also praised for its high-quality potatoes, noted for their superior taste compared to supermarket alternatives, as well as a diverse selection of other vegetables, regional products, and fresh juices. Many customers appreciate that products are sourced directly from the farm’s own cultivation or local farmers, contributing to both the freshness and what is often perceived as fair pricing.
The staff generally receives high marks for being friendly, helpful, and customer-oriented. The shop itself is described as a pleasant, cozy, and unpretentious establishment, which some see as a valuable local asset. However, a few criticisms surfaced. Some customers find the prices can occasionally be on the higher side for certain items. There was also a specific complaint about a rude and seemingly unknowledgeable staff member, especially regarding a basic understanding of produce. Additionally, one reviewer questioned the store’s claim of exclusively self-sourced products, suggesting some items may come from wholesalers. Despite these minor points, the overall sentiment remains highly positive.