June 01, 2008
West Produce & Vegetable Farm
I'm more likely to tell people things that I don't like than to talk about things that I do like.
This is one of the rare occasions where I've found something that I really enjoyed.
In this case, it was "West Produce & Vegetable Farm" in Spring Lake, North Carolina.
This afternoon, me and my family were taking one of our rare random drives through the eastern North Carolina country side and we happened upon an open air establishment run by Tommy and Jean West in Spring Lake, North Carolina.
As we were driving-up to the building where the produce is sold, I took a good long look at the surroundings and the layout and was very pleased to see everything well organized, clean, and well marked. Signs lead you to the designated parking area that is well kept.
The building where the produce and other items are sold is kept very clean and well organized. The produce is displayed on solid, clean wooden display tables that are lined up in rows to make aisles. I was pleasantly surprised to see an adequate selection of goods that were in very good condition.
We, Heather, me and our fraternal twin sons Isaac and David, were greeted by Jean West who welcomed us warmly and made sure that we knew that we were welcome to stay as long as we liked and that the boys might be interested in seeing the livestock on display behind the building and across the creek.
The boys enjoyed rolling the cantaloupe on one of the display tables until they caught sight of the tractors parked away from the produce on the far side of the building. They marveled at the tractors while Heather shopped. All during this, I was inspecting the building and the equipment and was very impressed at how well the building and machinery were maintained. Everything had a place and was organized according to function. I really was starting to like this place.
Behind the building, we crossed over very sturdy and well maintained bridges to view the livestock. The boys were delighted to see geese, chickens, sheep, and other livestock that all seemed to be in good health and well cared for. We also enjoyed showing the boys the minnows in the creek as we crossed the bridge.
Heather wound-up buying a number of vegetables, some ham, and a tomato plant.
All told, we spent about an hour at West Produce & Vegetable Farm shopping, looking, and talking with Tommy and Jean West and enjoying the experience. The boys were upset when it was time to leave and protested loudly -- they really loved looking at the livestock and the farm equipment.
All that I saw at this establishment just said "here are people that know what they are doing and are doing it very well." Organized, clean, interesting for parents and children, and friendly. You don't get much better than that!
West Produce & Vegetable Farm
2026 Hayes Road
Spring Lake, North Carolina 28390
2 miles off 210, Bethel Baptist Road
910-497-7443
Tommy & Jean
http://www.insiderpages.com/b/3717472128
