Atkins Fruit Bowl

Having grown up in New England, especially in Western Massachusetts it is indeed my honor and privilege to write a sterling review for one of the greatest places I have ever known, Atkins Fruit bowl and orchards.
I have personally been coming here since I was five years old. From the first moment my parents took me to get my first maple syrup extraction to the taste of my first Macintosh Apple, warm cider donut and fresh apple pie out of the oven with their own homemade ice cream I was hooked and in seventh heaven!
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. The enchanting drive in a cool crisp fall day down route 18 on a two lane country road with all of the hues of colors cascading over your car on a normal rockwellesque style painting of scenery, adorned with seasonal pumpkins and local fare that the locals grow in their own backyards. Off to the sides of the road you can see rolling hills and family farms rich and steeped with tradition of generations that came before them where the past comes alive. All of it sets the stage for an amazing homestyle experience that’s ideal for couples, families and individuals alike. Where a child’s innocence can be etched in their memory banks indelibly. I’m living proof that it does exist after all these years. The Atkins family has never let me down and I am here to serve as a testimony of all the great memories and food experiences they and their business have afforded me and countless people and generations locally.
And while you’re there don’t forget to pick up a few bottles of their apple cider, especially their seasonal apple cranberry cider. It is a taste not to be missed.

Make sure you check the reviews for Atkins Farm too because it is the same place as Atkins Fruit Bowl.
Today I am only going to review the cider donuts and the ice cream. Their cider donuts are delicious! I ride a motorscooter and my favorite ride is somewhere near Atkins so I can buy some cider donuts. Not only are they delicious, but they are very reasonably priced too. They are $ 2.95 for 6. If you buy two bags, you get a dozen for $ 4.95.
I always buy two bags. One for us and I give the other bag to friends and neighbors. I have a standing joke about my wife that she thinks they come in packs of 4 (because I always eat two before I take them home.) In the fall when they have hot cider, I have a cup of that with my donuts.
The store is located in a beautiful setting. You can sit at the picnic tables and take in the scenery while you snack.
The second thing I love about Atkins is their new ice cream window. It is reasonably priced and the servings are huge. The last time I was there they asked if I wanted a single or double dip. I always order small but didn’t want a baby cone so I got the double. It was the biggest cone I had ever gotten anywhere. It had to be at least 4 dips! My immediate thought was to just eat half of it and throw the rest away. But I hate to see a grown man cry (myself) so I ate it all!
I specifically try to sample cider donuts from other places just to compare and so far none of the others stand a chance to Atkins.
One last story: I was talking to a cousin in California telling him about cider donuts. He asked what they were. I bought a pack and shipped them out there to him so he would know firsthand. When you like a donut so much you are willing to send them cross country to share with a friend, you know that has to be one good donut!

If you need fruit, this is the place. There are row upon row of fruits of all kinds stacked shiny and neat. There is a huge selection of baked goods, deli meats, butcher treasures (marinated beef tips are mega-​yum) and a half way decent fresh seafood section. I’ve never had a problem with this place in all the years that I have shopped here. The parking lot is sort of an issue as access in and egress out can be tricky especially when it’s busy.
If you like cider donuts, they make some of the best in the valley!
If you are on a tight budget, try Maple Farms Produce as well.

This spot started out as a very small produce market with an orchard and has blossomed into one of the biggest attractions in the area. It sits in it’s own corner in South Amherst and in the fall, you cannot even find a parking space. Inside you will find a ton of fresh produce, cider, baked goods, gifts and other foods. The prices are a bit high, but the trip is worth it. They even have apple picking in the fall, and pumpkin painting, they have all sort of things for the kids and the staff is very nice and the place is family owned. I would highly recommend this place to anyone looking for something to do in the summer or fall!

Atkin’s is like the Wilson’s Farm of the Pioneer Valley. Only they are better.
Better bakery, better produce, and they make the best cider donuts in the world. All year long, too.
If you are out this way, stop in. You’ll see why I miss the place.
Of course, there’s pick your own apples, too.