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About Malvitz Bay Farms
In 1952 Fred Jr. and Jillain Malvitz planted their first patch of strawberries. Later that year, Jillain gave birth to Fred III. For the next 11 years, Fred and his family grew strawberries and sold them from their front lawn. For only $1 you could buy three quarts of strawberries!
Fred and Mary both grew up on family farms and dreamed about raising their family the same way. Following their passion, they started a grade A dairy farm and grew pumpkins and sweet corn. They had four daughters, Amanda, Malinda, Lucinda and Kimberly.
As their children grew older, Fred and Mary wanted to take the family on a vacation to Disney World. Taking advice from Grandpa Fred, the family planted their first half-acre of strawberries in 1987. Once again they started by selling strawberries on the picnic table in the front lawn and then later moved the store into their garage. Hiring a few neighborhood children, the Malvitzes worked as a family and slowly raised enough money to take a family vacation.
Now, Malvitz Bay Farm's strawberry patch is over 5 acres and has also opened the patch to pick-your-owns. The girls are all grown, Amanda , Malinda and Lucy have children of their own. The grandchildren all like to come and lend us a hand. Kimberly lives in Sturgeon Bay, and you can see her every Saturday at the Sturgeon Bay Farmers Market.
Every year the family comes together and works hard during strawberry season. You can find Malvitz Bay Farms strawberries in grocery stores and farm markets all the way to the northern tip of Door County.
Malvitz Bay Farms is a member of the Wisconsin Berry Growers Association, Wisconsin Fresh Market Vegetable Growers Association and the Minnesota Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association. Malvitzes participate in their research by planting trial plants. This allows the family farm to keep up with the latest trends in produce and stay educated on growing food for the community. Our newest partnership is with UW Madison Horticulture Department with the Seed to Kitchen On Farm Variety Trials. We grow many different varieties of strawberries and also grow raspberries, peas, asparagus, beans, sweet corn, squash, pumpkins and many other fruits and vegetables.
The family also offers CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) boxes. Delivering bountiful boxes of produce to their local members. You can also see them each week at the Sturgeon Bay Market Square Farmers Market,June thru October.
In 2000, Fred and Mary added a state licensed, commercial kitchen to market Mary's famous homemade jam. Carrying out a family tradition, Mary created over 20 secret recipes and sells her jam all over the country!
Striving to provide healthy and safe food for the community, the Malvitz family also raises range chickens. Unlike most commercial growers, Malvitz Bay Farms allows their chickens to range in movable pens outdoors that allow a diet of natural grasses and bugs. Grain feeds are supplemented to finish off their grazing diet.
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