Half and half: Pick raspberries for free

"They're huge," says one visitor.

Fall raspberries are in full bloom at Gardenworks Farm in Salem. The Washington County farm has two acres of the juicy, red fruit, ready for picking.

"We have great, sweet, delicious raspberries in October, but not a lot of people realize that the berries are still good and delicious," said Meg Southerland of Gardenworks.

To spread the word about its berries and to get them picked before they freeze, Gardenworks has started a raspberry rewards program. Half of what you pick stays with the farm, the other half you keep, for free. In 100 years of farming, this is the first time the Southerland's are allowing customers to pick berries for free.

The program started Thursday, Oct. 1, and word is starting to spread.

"I got a phone call (Friday) morning," said Betty Nassivera. "One of the girls I work with called and said do you like raspberries?"

What's the catch? There isn't one. The owners of the farm call it a "win-win."

"For me to hire people and pay those pickers a fair wage, it makes picked raspberries almost so expensive that not many people can afford to buy them," Southerland said. "And so we thought how about sharing? They may have time, we've got the berries, so let's split it."

Gardenworks is on County Route 30 in Salem and is open seven days a week, but you better hurray.