June 4, 2009

It’s blueberry season—go pick your own!

SURRY—Virginia-grown blueberries are in season, and pick-your-own growers are seeing customers line up for a chance at the perfect pick.

Consumers typically can pick their own blueberries through early July.

Blueberry season typically runs from June to early July, but some farms are seeing earlier harvests. “Most people around here were ready ... back on Memorial Day,” said Surry grower Steve Berryman. “We have had really good traffic this year.”

Berryman and his wife, Jordan, grow blue berries, strawberries, sweet corn and other vegetables at College Run Farms in Surry County.

Based on data from the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, blueberries are among the fruits with the highest antioxidant activity. Researchers have found that a serving of fresh blueberries provides more antioxidant activity than many other fresh fruits and vegetables.

Antioxidants are thought to help protect the body against the damaging effects of free radicals and chronic diseases associated with the aging process.

To find local growers and farmers’ markets in your area, visit SaveOurFood.org.

Contact Berryman at 757-870-5647 or Sherri McKinney, VFBF video producer, at 804-290-1148.