VanderHelm Farms

Ah, another one of the perks of living in the Valley.
Last Saturday morning, I accompanied a group of women and children to VanderHelm Farms to pick blueberries. I’ve gone strawberry picking as a child, but it has been a LONG time since I’ve experienced eating fruit straight from the source (a prospect that both excited and frightened me). Good thing the facilities were so clean (from the barn we entered into, the farmlands themselves, and the play structure provided in the front for restless children).
Still, while on the farm, I was a little hesitant to eat the blueberries without washing them first. However, no one around me seemed to have the same issues and popped the blueberries into their mouths with much ease. After careful observation, I was able to conclude that since none of my fellow farm-​goers threw up/​got sick/​or dropped dead, it would be safe to go ahead and try the blueberries for myself.
Good thing I did so because the blueberries were INCREDIBLE — there were so many different kinds/​flavors/​varieties. I enjoyed trying all the different kinds before deciding on my favorites to fill my bucket with. PRO-​TIP: A lot of the bigger and juicier berries are towards the bottom of the branches or behind the branches — a little searching is required but it is SO, SO worth it.
At $ 3 a pound (for big, juicy delicious blueberries), I really thought the price was a steal (as opposed to the dinky little container of blueberries for roughly the same price at Safeway). I brought some home for my family (they loved them). Moreover, VanderHelm doesn’t even charge people to enter the farm (meaning, realistically, you can just go and graze for free??). I didn’t see anyone taking advantage of this (small town values), but I was honestly taken aback by how much they trusted those who entered the farm to purchase blueberries.
Truly, truly, this is one of the most fun and worthwhile things I’ve experienced since moving to Modesto — a must for all locals (and even those who aren’t!!).

What a great experience to pick such delicious blueberries! Great people! i had such a fun time and went 2x!
There is also a kid’s play area with a tractor and see saw and a place to take pictures as giant blueberries. A few picnic tables are there if you bring snacks or a picnic lunch.
Cold bottled water for your thirsty self after picking all those berries is available in the barn. They also have a place to wash your hands and a portable potty before the drive home.
Beware…you just might eat them all before you get home so pick extra!

It’s been a few weeks since we went but I was so impressed with the quality of the berries. The play area is just enough for the kiddies to do kiddie stuff but the berries… The berries… I didn’t know there were so many different varieties and all amazing– yum!

Really nice place to do blueberries picking. $ 3 a pound and they have 12 different kinds of blueberries. My favorite is blue ribbon if I remember it right. The price is very cheap considering the fact that blueberries are pretty expensive when you buy them at farmers markets or supermarkets. Definitely recommend this place.

Love this blueberry farm! Lots of berries to choose from and I look fwd to their online coupon. Friendly staff and the berries are delicious. It’s become a family tradition to come here

Great place to get fresh blueberries at a great price! My daughter loved being able to pick her own blueberries!

A summer-​time favorite! Love Vanderhelms. This was my second year returning. I’ve taken a handful of family and friends here to go picking and it’s never disappointing. Staff is friendly and the blueberries are the best!

Fantastic product, Great price, family fun for everyone!!! We met the VanderHelms at a local farmers market and my family fell in love w their product. They told us about the U-​Pick blueberry farm and invited us over to give it a try! We showed up that very weekend and had such a good old-​fashion blast with our family. Picking blueberries is not hard and my son was easily able to pick up on what to do! With no thorns or stickers it was safe for my 10 year old and I didn’t need to worry!!! Now we have been back 2 more times and the product cont. to be top notch! They have several varieties and all are delicious!!! We have tried to pick enough to freeze (they easily freeze) to last through the rest of the year… But I know that will never happen! I encourage you to have your family come out and have fun as a family and try this great product… And as a U-​Pick location the price is UNbeatable!!!

Nice time for the whole family. We came on the last picking day of the season. There was still plenty to pick. We borrowed their bucket and went hunting for the best looking berries. The price was $ 2.75/lb or $ 2.50/lb if you pick more than 12 pounds. It was easy to get carried away with picking and before we knew it we had 2 buckets full. That put us just over 12 pounds. Pricey but fun.