It’s officially fall on Martha’s Vineyard and today I’m sharing on of my favorite fall activities to do: bike to Morning Glory Farm from our house and pick up local produce and flowers. Come along as I take you exploring MV in the Fall: Morning Glory Farm Edition! 

Schwinn Bike and Morning Glory Farm

Fall is in the air and it’s hands dow the best time to visit New England, more specifically Martha’s Vineyard. The crowds have left, which means there’s more space for everyone to roam. Since we don’t have a car, bicycling is one of our preferred modes of transportation, specially on cool, fall days when the air is crisp and you don’t break a sweat on the bike path.

For this post, I’ve partnered with Schwinn Bicycles to share with you one of my favorite fall activities on the island, which is to ride from my house to Morning Glory Farm, one of the best and most varied farms on MV.

Schwinn Bike and Morning Glory Farm
This fall-inspired outfit was sponsored by Backwater Trading Co. and can be found in their shop in Edgartown.

Morning Glory Farm is a family farm started in 1975 by James and Deborah Athearn, grows about 65 acres of vegetables and small fruits on the island of Martha’s Vineyard. Seven acres of those vegetable fields are farmed using only natural fertilizers and no synthetic pesticides, and they try to manage the rest of the land with a minimum of pesticides and with attention to the long-term health of the soil.

The quality and flavor of the produce that comes out of their fields is unsurpassable. Their tomatoes are insanely flavorful, the greens and herbs some of the best in the market, and overall, it’s an oasis for someone that loves food.

Schwinn Bike and Morning Glory Farm
This fall-inspired outfit was sponsored by Backwater Trading Co. and can be found in their shop in Edgartown.

Not only do I shop for produce at Morning Glory Farm, but snacks and ingredients for my meal prep during the week. It’s closer than any grocery shop in town and it’s a quick stop for quality ingredients. Below, I’m listing my top five items to purchase at Morning Glory Farm:

  1. Their own field grape tomatoes – these are Mother Nature’s gift to us and I try to consume as many grape tomatoes as possible during their season. They are packed with lycopene, one of the world’s most powerful antioxidants that fights free radicals and prevents all kinds of disease.
  2. Goldthread Plant Based Tonics – when I’m looking to treat myself, I walk over to their drink selection and my latest drink of choice are these tonics. A blend of herbs and spices, these tonics are like liquid multi-vitamins for you body and every time I drink one, I feel instantly better. They are packaged in glass bottles, which I reuse for my daily morning smoothie on the go.
  3. Their Cheesy Cheddar Herb Biscuit – dear Lord, if there’s ever been a biscuit in my life, this one is it. It’s layered and fluffy, with enough butter to get me through the day and speckled with cheddar cheese and herbs like chives. It’s honestly one of the best biscuits on island.
  4. Their own green beans – I know, I know. What’s special about green beans? But have you ever snacked on them raw? They’re crisp and clean, delicious and honestly one of my favorite things to snack on during the summer.
  5. The Salad Bar – yes. Morning Glory Farm has a salad bar to rival all other island salad bars. It’s definitely my recommendation for when you have no idea what you’re craving for lunch so a little bit of everything is what sounds good. Plus, they always have two hot soups, baguettes, and more to round out your meal, so it’s a win-win for everyone.
Schwinn Bike and Morning Glory Farm
This fall-inspired outfit was sponsored by Backwater Trading Co. and can be found in their shop in Edgartown.

One more thing Morning Glory Farm does incredibly well are their flowers. The sunflowers at the end of summer mash up with the pumpkin displays and it’s just wonderful. We had a chance to see them come in from the fields in this green, farm pick-up truck and it was a flower lover’s dream come true. We rested the bike for a minute to capture this and it got me thinking about all the reasons why we should ride bicycles more than drive cars. (Side note: did you know we don’t have a car, I actually don’t even have a license, oh maybe the fact that I don’t even know how to drive yet at 33? Ha. Yes, and I still get through my day perfectly.)

Every time I tell someone I don’t drive, they’re shocked. How do I get around? What do I do in the rain? It’s funny how cars have become a measure of success – when in reality, nothing is better than the freedom of not having one. Our walks are more thoughtful, in the way that we can stop whenever we want, go down tiny roads not meant for cars, and explore on our own time. Plus, if you’ve ever been on MV in the summer, you know parking is a crazy on island. So below – five more reasons to get yourself a Schwinn bike and use it:

  1. Fresh air is good for you – and we all know this, but don’t get outside as much as we need to. Deep breathes relax and calm you, reducing your cortisol levels and making you less stressed.
  2. Good muscle workout. You use most of your muscles to cycle, making it a great workout that’s also productive because it gets you where you need to go.
  3. Time efficient – specially during summer when traffic is insane. In the summer on MV, the roads are backed up for miles at a time, while the bike paths are a breeze to cycle. You’ll get anywhere faster during those peak traffic times.
  4. Save the planet. Bicycles obviously produce zero pollution as you ride them, and it takes around 5% of materials and energy used to make a car to build a bike, so overall, you’re saving resources, energy, and time.
  5. Make creative breakthroughs. When I bicycle, I have time to think things through, whether it’s a work project or a problem with friends or family. It’s a great time to brainstorm ideas, solutions, and new ways to achieve your goals!

I’d love to know – do you own a bicycle? When was the last time you rode it? Let me know in the comments below what type of bicycle you have and what you love about it!

Schwinn Bike and Morning Glory Farm

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