A Juicy Tradition Continues: University Farm’s ‘U-Pick Peaches’ Scheduled for Next Week

A beloved tradition is scheduled to return next week to California State University, Chico’s University Farm.

The popular “U-Pick Peaches” event begins Monday, providing the community the opportunity to not only enjoy University Farm’s delicious peaches, but to also select the sensational stone fruits themselves. Peach picking and sales take place on Monday, August 9, from 8 a.m. to noon, and continue August 10–11 from 8 a.m. to noon or until supplies run out. The University Farm is located at 311 Nicholas C. Schouten Lane south of Chico.

Peaches are priced at $2 per pound, and the University Farm will provide bags and boxes visitors can use to pick peaches and take home with them. Farm officials discourage visitors from bringing their own containers since transferring the fruit can cause bruising and note that over-handling of the peaches can diminish quality.

University Farm will offer longtime favorite Fay Elberta peaches for picking this year. This fruit features a large, yellow-skinned freestone with a slight red blush, with good shape and nice flavor, and is a popular variety for canning. Picking is first-come, first-served, and University Farm will accept, cash, check or credit card.

After being forced to pivot to a drive-through delivery model in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, University Farm Administrator Dave Daley is thankful conditions allow for this family-favorite activity to continue this year.

“We are happy and honored to be able to continue providing the fresh-picked local fruit that has become such a summertime tradition in our community,” he said.

As peach-loving visitors enjoy this outdoor and socially distanced activity, hand sanitizing stations will be placed around the property. Additionally, clear plastic barriers will be set up between the visitors and cashiers. 

“We will do everything we can to make sure this is a safe and pleasurable experience for the community and follow guidelines the very best we can,” Daley said.

For the most current information on peach sales, please contact the Peach Hotline at 530-898-4989.

In addition to its annual peach sales, the University Farm continues to operate the Meats Laboratory, which will be open for public sales next Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.— the facility is typically open solely on Thursdays and Fridays. And although it doesn’t coincide with peach sale times, the University Farm also sells greenhouse plants and organic vegetables at the Greenhouse from 1 to 4 p.m. on Fridays.