Voedselbos Benthuizen is a pick-your-own food forest near Benthuizen where visitors can harvest a variety of seasonal produce. The forest grows fruit, berries, nuts, herbs and vegetables, all cultivated without pesticides. What is available depends on the time of year, with different crops ripening from spring to autumn. Members receive a weekly email listing what is ready to pick.

The farm operates on a membership basis. Annual membership costs €45 for individuals or €75 for two people from the same household. Members can harvest produce weekly, either independently or during guided harvest tours that show what is ripe and how to pick it. Prices for self-harvested produce match regular supermarket rates. Members also help with planting and maintenance during weekly workdays on Fridays and alternate Wednesdays from 10.00 to 13.30.

Non-members can visit during scheduled activities such as guided tours (€15 per person) or Pluk & Proef walks (€27.50, including snacks and drinks). These events run from spring to autumn, with dates listed on the farm’s agenda. Private tours and team outings can be arranged on request.

The farm has a small shop selling harvested produce, jams, syrups and other products. There is no café, but members can join communal harvest lunches and cooking sessions. Parking is available on-site, and the exact location is provided after booking. The forest is run by Liesbeth van Bemmel, who also offers training and advice for those interested in starting their own food forest.

What visitors say

Visitors describe a food forest in the making rather than a traditional pick-your-own farm. You can’t just turn up and pick—you need to become a “vriend van het voedselbos” (friend of the food forest) to join a pluk en proeflunch (pick-and-taste lunch). During these sessions, you get to harvest and sample plants, which some say reveals surprising flavours. The experience is more guided than free picking, with a focus on learning about the forest’s development.

The setting is peaceful and inspiring, with several calling it a beautiful, well-cared-for place. The guided tours are praised as enjoyable and informative, though you won’t find the usual rows of berries or flowers. Children aren’t mentioned, so it’s unclear how family-friendly it is. The only downside noted is that it’s not open for casual visits.

Facilities in this u-pick farm

Farm shop Farm shop

Hazelland 10

3.7 km — zuid-holland

Hazelland 10 in Zoeterwoude is a pick-your-own vegetable and herb garden run on agro-ecological principles. The farm grows vegetables, herbs, fruit and nuts in open ground, with no chemical pesticides or fertilisers. It operates as a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) scheme: instead of paying per kilo, you buy a share in the season’s harvest and pick your own produce each week. The picking season runs from May to November. You receive a weekly list of what is ready to harvest, then visit the farm on a day that suits you to gather your vegetables and herbs. Each share covers at least five different crops per week, with occasional extras such as flowers or wild herbs. Fruit from the farm’s production forest is not included in the share but is sometimes available to buy separately.

Buurttuin Zoete Aarde

3.8 km — zuid-holland

Buurttuin Zoete Aarde in Zoetermeer is a community garden where visitors can pick flowers, fruit and vegetables during the growing season, from April to October. The garden includes a flower-picking area, a berry patch, a vegetable garden and an orchard with pears. Honey from the garden’s bees is also available. You pay for what you pick by weight or per bunch, depending on the crop. The garden shop sells produce grown on site, including fresh vegetables, jam, chutney and honey, and is open daily from 10.00 to 16.00. Coffee and tea are served on the terrace, and soup is available in the greenhouse every Wednesday.

Bij Mei

6.0 km — zuid-holland

Bij Mei in Zoeterwoude is a pick-your-own vegetable and flower garden where visitors harvest their own organic produce directly from the field. The farm operates on a community-supported agriculture (CSA) model: you become a member for the season, paying in advance based on household size, and then pick your share of the harvest each week. The vegetable season runs from May to November, with around 28 weeks of picking. Members typically take home about five different vegetables per visit, ranging from familiar crops like carrots and courgettes to less common varieties such as palm kale and runner beans. Weekly harvest updates are sent by email to let members know what’s ready.

juuls landje voedselbos

8.6 km — zuid-holland

Juuls Landje in Boskoop is a small care nursery where visitors can pick their own produce from the food forest and kitchen garden. The farm grows edible trees, shrubs and perennials, including fruit such as cherries, plums and peaches, as well as nuts like walnuts, hazelnuts and sweet chestnuts. Seasonal crops include daslook (wild garlic) in spring, edible flowers like elderflower and nasturtium, and berries in summer. In autumn, visitors can gather nuts and fruits for syrups, juices and jams, which are also made on-site.