Al's Family Farms
Al's Family Farms
4.5
Monday
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
About
Welcome to Al's Family Farms in Fort Pierce, Florida - the heart of the Indian River Citrus District. AL’s Red Barn Grill is open year around. Our historic Red Barn Packinghouse and Citrus Shop are open late October thru April. Self guided tours available Nov-April. Visit us for the freshest local Florida citrus, fresh squeezed orange juice & Sharon's homemade fudge. A short video tour running in our lobby & the OJ Corral is open during Citrus Shop hours. Watch us pack Indian River Citrus to send to your freezin' friends up north! Every summer, Al's store moves across the driveway to our Red Barn Grill! We still have our LOCALLY GROWN, FRESH SQUEEZED Orange & Grapefruit Juice, vine-ripe Tomatoes, Watermelon, Southern Peaches, Local Honey, Smoked Fish Dip, Fried Peanuts, Sunshine Shakes and hand dipped & soft serve Ice Cream!
Duration: < 1 hour
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Restaurants
12 within 3 miles
Attractions
60 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
253 reviews
Excellent
179
Very good
52
Average
17
Poor
3
Terrible
2
Jules63
Montreal, Canada108 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
This is a relatively inexpensive tour ($8.50 each) which is good because it’s more of a sales pitch than a “tour”. Al’s runs a packing house so their main business is shipping citrus fruit around the country. Although the tour guide Shari was excellent and provided some interesting information on the citrus industry in Florida, there’s just not that much to tour. The packing house is small and when the tour group arrived, the machines and employees suddenly begin working, as if our arrival signaled that it was time to “put on the show“. The actual tour part lasted maybe 15 minutes and allowed us to see how the oranges are categorized by size, then washed, but that was pretty much it. Very ho-hum and honestly, a little disappointing.
Written February 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are happy you found our 1 hour guided tour to be affordable. You are right, our vintage family owned packinghouse is small compared to big commercial packinghouses. Our staff is busy grading fruit, making fresh squeezed juice, boxes, trays and other tasks. As a courtesy to our guests, at tour time, we ring the bell and they stop doing their other jobs, and go outside so that our tour guests can watch us wash and inspect fruit. It would be more efficient for us if we did not stop working inside and suddenly begin working outside but most folks love to see the fruit being cleaned, and we do our best to provide that experience. Thanks for taking time to review us!
Written February 4, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
E B
Toronto, Canada73 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
This venue is advertised as a destination of a Florida orange farm. Maybe back 50 years ago, but not now. Their website is great but outdated as it does not reflect the present reality.
Nope! We drove an hour to see an old worn-down building: a store and a attached barn behind with packing boxes rotating around the ceiling— that was the tour?
The small store sells expensive oranges and orange accessories like jams, jewellery, fudge… The prices were outrageous. For example a bag of their farm oranges were priced at $10 for 5 pounds—at an orange grower?! You can find Florida farm oranges at local food stores for a lot less cost.
There was no tour, nor was orange juice offered, something listed on their website. When I asked about seeing orange trees, I was directed to a small garden behind the parking lot where there were a few scraggly orange trees.
Don’t waste your time or your money!!!
Nope! We drove an hour to see an old worn-down building: a store and a attached barn behind with packing boxes rotating around the ceiling— that was the tour?
The small store sells expensive oranges and orange accessories like jams, jewellery, fudge… The prices were outrageous. For example a bag of their farm oranges were priced at $10 for 5 pounds—at an orange grower?! You can find Florida farm oranges at local food stores for a lot less cost.
There was no tour, nor was orange juice offered, something listed on their website. When I asked about seeing orange trees, I was directed to a small garden behind the parking lot where there were a few scraggly orange trees.
Don’t waste your time or your money!!!
Written March 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear EB,
I sincerely apologize you were dissatisfied with your visit to Al's Family Farms as a result of old information displayed on Trip Advisor. Unfortunately the person who managed our trip advisor account was our senior tour guide but she was laid off in 2020 when the guided tours were halted in response to Covid lock down orders.
My name is Jeff, (the owner) and I recently taken over managing the Trip Advisor page. Hopefully I will be able to respond in a more timely fashion going forward.
I have submitted updated information to the page but it takes up to 48 hours to publish but here is the latest info on our recently reopened, Self Guided Tours (post Covid lock down). Hopefully it addresses that outdated, misinformation you received concerning Tours, Free juice & fruit samples. If you ever make it back perhaps you can revisit our newly restored "Dodgertown Outfield" observation grove planted with USDA test trees. I am adding a link to the Self-Guided Tour flyer on our website under the Visit Us tab.
Please forgive us- Two hurricanes visited our groves and packinghouse last fall and we are just now getting back on our feet. I wish I could have responded to you sooner. Again, Thanks for visiting!
Jeff (owner)
AGRITOURISM Update at AL'S FAMILY FARMS
Covid-19 Then and Now-
In January of 2020 our Agritourism Tours were abruptly halted as a result of the government's newly imposed, mandatory, Covid lock down order. To comply with legal guidelines we could no longer send groups of people through a structured tour. Sadly our amazing tour guides jobs were immediately affected. 2023 Good News Update- Both former tour guides are now doing well. One of them retired from Al's, re-directing her skills to performing incredible volunteer work at a nearby church. The other guide was re-assigned to new duties and is now doing a fantastic job of leading our store. Our tour line has recently been modified and reopened for "self guided" tours. We're busy farmers but we do make it a priority to try and constantly improve self-guided tours as time allows. Guided Tours were incredible but"times they are a changing"...We didn't want to place any more of our great employee's livelihoods at risk in the event of another future, unforseen tour suspension.
More good news- Our Packinghouse, Store, Grill, O.J. Corral and Observation Groves are back open to the public.
Added Covid precautions: We added some additional safety measures throughout our operations. Here are just a few examples:
1) FREE JUICE & FRUIT samples are happily provided by an attendant upon request. As of April 2023 we are now beginning to offer limited, unattended samples more frequently. We are still maintaining the highest safety standards possible so "No fingers please!" Use the toothpicks provided! We still encourage "the most at risk" customers to shop near the time the store opens as it is typically less crowded then. Our staff can better assist in anyway necessary. We'll even shop for you and help carry items to your car whenever possible.
2) SELF GUIDED TOURS
All of our machinery has been numbered and labeled as to it's function and you are welcome to use the staircases and platforms to get a better view from above (You may open the yellow safety chain during store hours. (It is located on at the southwest side of the main porch) Proceed down those steps heading westward down the grass lawn along the canal until you reach the west end staircase and platform. Climb those stairs as you begin at the Main Fruit Dump and Pre-Grader's platform (#1). Walk eastward down those stairs onto the grass and you will see the Cannery line's elevator, Pre-sizer, Fruit washer, Mid-grader's line, Fruit Polisher, Waxer, Final drying tunnel, Final grader's line and lastly the Master Fruit Sizer.
Tips- During the busy main citrus season we commonly run the prior day's citrus harvest in the morning beginning around 9 a.m. (listen for the bells and buzzers)
(Ending years of guided tours in favor of self-guided tours may be best for social distancing and it definetely helped us to avoid criticism but we sure do miss our trained tour guides and the excitement and passion they poured into every guided tour, over so many years.)
4) OBSERVATION GROVES The USDA's and other observation citrus trees are planted in the little grove at the north end of the Agri-playground. That is located directly north of the Red Barn Grill Restaurant. The newly redone, "single bedded" grove has recently undergone a full restoration. It's amazing "Dodgertown" soil was purchased and re-located from the outfield of Holman Stadium in Vero Beach. That's the legendary spring training facility where the Brooklyn & Los Angeles Dodgers played from 1948 - 2008. That Dodgertown field's soil is now in the proccess of being replanted with the top 22 trees resulting from our two decades of Citrus trial testing with the USDA both here and in our leased groves.
Thank you and may God bless you with the gift of health,
Jeff Schorner, Owner
Written April 18, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
sarah s
Pembroke Pines46 contributions
Jul 2023
I can only comment on the summer time visit. There is not much happening besides a restaurant. From November to May you can see how they package the citrus. The orange groves are not even at the farm. There is a small children's area that children can enjoy with some games and several little orange trees.
Written July 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Angela G
Carneys Point, NJ27 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
Our party really enjoyed our visit! We took the tour - it was informative and was worthwhile, in our opinion. We were able to taste varieties of fruit and learn about season availability as well as harvesting practices. The tour was family-friendly, as well. If you like milkshakes, don’t miss the Sunshine Shake - it was terrific!
Written February 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for your review! We are happy you enjoyed your tour and found it to be worthwhile. We loved showing you how fruit is washed and inspected and appreciate that you mentioned it is a family friendly tour. Sounds like you really enjoyed our famous Sunshine Shake, made with our own fresh squeezed orange juice!
Written March 3, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
ahtram56
Dubuque, IA315 contributions
Feb 2023 • Couples
The most amazing fresh navel oranges I’ve ever tasted! So happy we dropped in on our way to Port St Lucie today! Highly recommend as it was fascinating to see the operation and taste different oranges!
Written February 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for visiting us!
Written April 19, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
MRX5
Mechanicsville, Virginia, United States303 contributions
Mar 2021 • Family
While visiting Fort Pierce, we picked up a whole bunch of oranges to take home. Valencia, Unique, Temple and some grapefruit too. I’ve been making homemade OJ everyday since we got home with a mixture of all three oranges. I am now spoiled. I don’t know how I’ll go back to the regular store bought juice. I’ll definitely order some more oranges before the season ends.
Written March 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ang V
1 contribution
May 2023 • Family
Al and crew were so kind, service was top notch! Their produce fresh and delicious! Can't wait to try the key lime pie we bought to bring home as well. We stopped for a quick lunch at the grill and it was ready quickly and tasted great. We'll definitely stop by again!
Written May 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
So grateful for your kind words, thanks for visiting us!
Written June 17, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lonnie P
Okeechobee, FL205 contributions
May 2022
We decide to look around in the store after lunch next door. The small farm store has a good selection of citrus and other goods laid out very convenient and packages available from small baskets to full bushels. Prices seemed high but to each his own.
Written May 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kapow79
Rochester, NY51 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
We thoroughly enjoyed our tour of Al's Family Farm. They have an excellent selection of citrus that is delicious. You can sample the citrus and juice. The honeybell juice is the BEST! Sherry was a friendly and fun tour guide. You get to see the fruit from tree to packaged. We shipped citrus home. It is a great tour for all ages. It was a highlight of our week in the area.
Written February 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for your great review! It was nice to have you on our citrus wash-line and packinghouse tour and we're very happy to hear it was a highlight of your trip. Yes, that Honeybell juice is yummy - and fresh squeezed right here at Al's. Glad you had a fun tour and hope you stop by whenever you are in the area.
Written March 3, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
MetroWest52
Boston, MA228 contributions
Jan 2016 • Couples
Well, don't expect a walk through the groves to pick your very own orange right off a tree because the one thing missing from Al's Family Farm is..the farm. This is really a gussied up citrus packaging factory with a store, small take out restaurant and play area for the kiddies. It isn't on a farm but rather on a busy highway across the street from a used air conditioner warehouse. That said it is worth seeing because of the inexpensive 1 hour tour that explains the history, cultivation, harvest, cleaning and packaging of all sorts of citrus fruits. As part of the tour, you also receive complementary samples of different types of fruits, fresh squeezed juice, a "free" piece of fruit, a couple of candies and a coupon good for a "free" three pound bag of oranges if you buy $15 worth of merchandise in the store. Their main claim to fame is taking orders for those wonderful Florida citrus care packages that you send to your freezing relatives up north to let them know the swell time you are having in Florida. By the time you get through the store and the restaurant, this $8 tour will end up setting you back a bunch of money but it is well spent. Try the orange shake.
Written January 7, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank-you for your review. We are happy to know that you felt the tour was money well spent. We appreciate that you reminded folks that this is not a grove tour, but a historic citrus packinghouse and wash-line tour. King's Highway used to be filled with citrus grove side stands and packinghouses back in the day but now Al's Family Farms is the only Citrus packinghouse in the county left that's open to the public! The warehouse across the street is a citrus packinghouse that closed a couple years ago when the long time owner passed away. We hope you'll stop back by any time you are in the area for one of the "Sunshine Shakes" you recommended!
Written January 13, 2016
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
AlsFamilyFarms
Fort Pierce, Florida
Sorry, Al's Family Farms and Al's Red Barn Grill cannot accept payment via EBT food stamps. Most items sold are ineligible. Thank you for your inquiry
Written August 1, 2018
Thanks for your inquiry! Al's Family Farms will offer 1 hour guided tours of our citrus packinghouse and wash-line Tuesday through Friday at 10:30 a.m. January 2 through April 13, 2018. We recommend calling ahead to reserve a spot. We have completed our tour season for 2017! Al's has an OJ Corral Agri citrus themed play area for kids and big kids. We also have a small observation grove if you want to see citrus trees for yourselves.
Written April 25, 2017
Can I order citrus to be sent to friends at your store?
Written March 20, 2016
Yes. You can order in our store - and taste the different varieties before you ship so you know what they taste like! Our store is open M-F 9-6 and Saturdays 9-5 until May. Always closed on Sundays. You can also order over the phone at: 1-800-544-3366 or on-line.
Written March 22, 2016
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