Valerie Rutland and her mother-in-law drive from Midway to Orem every week to hit up Utah County fruit stands. They say the drive down Provo Canyon is beautiful, but that's just a side benefit of their treks, which started more than three years ago.

"The fruit here is wonderful," Rutland said while sorting through apricots at John Stratton's fruit stand on 800 North in Orem. "And they definitely have way better pricing than the grocery store."

Rutland buys whatever is in season, always hand-picking her favorites and using the freshly plucked fruit and vegetables for cooking and baking.

Tasty produce keeps the pair cruising down the canyon, but they say they've also made a conscious choice to support local farmers.

"Growing fruit is becoming a lost art, and you're really doing your community a favor when you shop farmers' markets and fruit stands," said Mildred Dean, Rutland's mother-in-law. "It's hard enough for farmers to make a living."

On 800 North in Orem alone, there are at least four fruit stands operating in the summer months. Dozens more are scattered throughout the valley. Loyal customers flock to fruit stands, shunning grocery store produce for locally grown delights.

But there's plenty of fruit to go around.

Take Pam and Madeleine Mahoney, for example. On a sunny Saturday morning, the mother-daughter duo rummages through boxes of peaches and baskets of cherries at Vern Stratton's fruit stand, at approximately 800 North and 650 East in Orem.

The two visit their preferred stands two or three times a week so they can enjoy ripe fruit at each meal.

"It's pretty much a trademark of summer," said Madeleine Mahoney. "That's when you know summer is really starting -- when the fruit stands open and we can go and get our fruit."

Most fruit stands are now open in full force, and there is still plenty of time to stop by and get your fruity fill.

Here is a guide to the most established fruit stands in Utah County:

Carlos Chavez Fruit Stands

Locations: One stand at approximately 600 West and 800 North in Orem and a second across from Francom Motors on State Street in Lindon.

Months of operation: July to October

Specialties: Tomatoes and corn

Other produce sold: Apples, pears, peaches, cherries, green beans, peppers

History: Carlos Chavez has been operating his two fruit stands since 1992. He grows the fruit and vegetables in orchards and fields dotted throughout Orem and Lindon.

"We grow just about everything," Chavez said. "Corn and tomatoes are what people know us for. All the other fruits, they don't sell as much."

Harward Farms

Locations: Harward Farms operates 20 fruit stands spread across south Salt Lake County, Utah County and north Sanpete County. Call (801) 489-9412 for locations.

Months of operation: Mid-July to October

Specialties: Corn, watermelons and cantaloupe

Other produce sold: Tomatoes, cherries, peaches, apricots, pumpkins

History: For 20 years, farmers at Harward Farms have been growing and selling produce to locals. They farm 400 acres of land in the Springville area to keep their fruit stands stocked throughout the summer and early fall.

"We grow it, produce it, market it, sell it -- the whole thing," said owner Jud Harward. "Our food chain only has one link."

John Stratton's Fruit Stand

Location: 990 E. 800 North in Orem

Months of operations: July to December

Specialties: Blackberries, raspberries and currants

Other produce sold: Apples, pears, peaches, plums, apricots and assorted vegetables

History: Until three years ago, Stratton's Fruit Stand was open year round. Now, the venerable fruit stand, which is more than 50 years old, is only open six months of the year.

"We used to give out recipes and sell milk and everything," said Ruby Stratton, who owns the stand with her husband, John. "Now we just sell our own fruit that is grown right behind the stand."

Sugar Sweet

Location: Twelve stands operating from Springville to Lehi and in Heber. Call (801) 687-5376 for locations.

Months of operation: End of June to September

Specialties: Corn and watermelons

History: Sugar Sweet is a family business, owned by Steve Jackson and his two sons, Chris and Tyler. They've been operating the stands for 12 years, farming corn they grow themselves and selling Green River watermelons to eager customers.

"Corn is extra perishable because the sugar turns into starch after a few days," Chris Jackson said. "That's the key -- its got to be fresh. Our corn is picked the same day."

Verd's

Locations: Approximately 1400 N. State Street, Orem

Months of operation: July to October

Specialties: Cherries, peaches and pears

Other produce sold: Just about every fruit and vegetable under the sun

History: Unlike other vendors in the area, Verd's is more store than stand.

The 55-year-old establishment sells standard grocery items and canning supplies alongside fruits and vegetables.

"My father used to own the land but we sold it when he died," said Linda Ash, who operates Verd's with her sister Kathryn Lunt. "Now, we sell what the farmers bring to us.

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page B1.