Edible Blue Ridge Summer 2022

Pop’s Ice Cream & Soda Bar Since opening their doors to the Grandin Village community in 2006, Anna Robertson and Brandon Davis — the wife and husband team behind Pop’s Ice Cream & Soda Bar — have been serving up scoops, shakes, floats, sandwiches, and smiles (both real, and those pressed into their beloved potato rounds) from their 1950s-style soda bar to all of Roanoke and its visitors. After over a decade and a half, however, they are ready to pass the scoop, if you will. Come July, the keys to the former Roanoke City Library building will change hands, but the neighborhood staple will continue on for yet another busy summer. ough the masses pay most attention to the fresh ice cream, both Davis and Robertson recommend the Read Mountain Melt as their favorite summer offering. Named after the nearby mountain on which Robertson’s grandfather lived and grew the summer tomatoes for Pop’s, this sandwich features yellow tomatoes (now sourced from ornfield Farm in Fincastle and Riverstone Farm in Floyd), fresh basil, red onions, a homemade garlic-feta dressing, and provolone cheese, grilled on fresh sourdough. We would like to thank Brandon and Anna for their years of infectious positivity, delicious ice cream, and happy, lactose-fueled memories, and we wish them the very best in their next chapter.

FT Valley Farm

After hiking Old Rag with your family, why not continue your time outdoors by visiting a pick-your-own orchard? Midsummer marks the beginning of FT Valley Orchard’s second season. Owners Algis & Kathy Penkiunas purchased the 44-acre parcel with dreams of turning it into a working orchard. After years spent grafting, planting and planning, the Penkiunases saw their dream come to fruition last year as they opened their gates to the public. e historic property still has old apple trees, dating from the late 1800s, hidden amongst its hollers, and everywhere you turn the orchard is brimming with growth; the newly-renovated market space will sell farm products including fresh apple cider, apple butter and cuts of grass-fed beef, as well as locally-crafted artisan products. “It fills my heart with so much joy to see this beautiful piece of land grow into a haven for those in our community. With the orchard, we’re getting back to our roots of good old fashioned fun,” says Kathy Penkiunas. Peaches and nectarines mark the start of the you-pick season, with some early apple varieties available in August. e orchard will remain open until the end of November, after which apples may be purchased on an as-need basis by contacting market manager Meredith Gilmore (Meredith@FTValleyfarm.com). In addition to the cattle farm and orchard, the Penkiunases are dedicated to strengthening their ties within the community. Last year, they donated 1500 pounds of fruit to local charities, helping those experiencing food insecurity. In the fall, they hope to host school field trips, showing children where the fruit found in their lunchboxes is actually grown and harvested. Visit: www.ftvalleyfarm.com/visit-us/ for up to date seasonal hours

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