Locally Grown Berries Are Summer’s Finest Eating

Think of berries as nature’s reward for enduring the long Vermont winter. Beginning in June and continuing until early fall, Vermonters can enjoy sweet, juicy locally grown berries. Not only do they taste great, berries are among the healthiest foods you can eat.

Berries provide many vitamins and minerals, along with fiber. They also contain antioxidants, which help fight inflammation. Berries can help lower the risk of Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Eating berries regularly can also help improve memory and reduce the risk of dementia and cognitive decline.

The health benefits of berries can be diminished by residues of pesticides and other chemicals that are sometimes found in commercially grown berries. Strawberries, blackberries, and blueberries are among the fruits and vegetables that most often have trace amounts of pesticides and chemicals, according to the Environmental Working Group. To avoid potential exposure to harmful chemicals, consider purchasing berries grown organically, preferably from a Vermont farm.

Let’s delve into when to pick berries in Vermont, where to find them, and some of the ways to enjoy them.

When Are Berries Available in Vermont?

Here is a ripening calendar for various types of berries in Vermont:

• Strawberries: Early June to mid-July
• Summer Raspberry varieties: Late June to late July
• Blueberries: Mid-July to late August
• Blackberries: Mid-August to late September
• Fall Raspberry varieties: Late August to frost

These dates are usually when berries are ready for picking in Vermont, but the timing may change depending on temperatures and other weather conditions. Before heading out to pick, it’s a good idea to call the farm to make sure their berries are ready.

Where to Pick Berries in Vermont?

Vermont has many farms where you can walk into the fields and pick your own berries. Not only is this the most economical way to get berries (other than growing them yourself), it’s good exercise and fun for the entire family.

Check out this list of Vermont pick-your-own farms, many of which grow berries. The Vermont Vegetable & Berry Growers Association also has a pick-your-own farm finder searchable by map or list.

If you’d rather buy berries that have already been picked, many farms have containers of picked berries available for sale at the farmstand. Another great place to buy fresh local berries is a farmers market. Find a farmers market near you by using the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont’s farmers market directory.

Food co-ops and other local stores may also have berries from nearby farms on their shelves when they are in season.

How to Grow Your Own

If you have some extra room in your garden or yard, you can grow your own berries and enjoy them as soon as they ripen.

Only certain varieties of berries are hardy enough to survive Vermont’s winters, so be sure to purchase new plants from local nurseries that stock varieties that do well in Vermont’s climate. For more information on growing your own berries, take a look at this presentation from the University of Vermont Extension Service.

How to Use Berries

One of the best things about berries is their versatility. They can be enjoyed in many ways, either fresh from the farm or your garden, or from the freezer. Here are some suggestions for how to use berries in your meals and snacks:

• Plain: As a healthy substitute for other snack foods
• Toppings: On cereal or oatmeal in the morning and ice cream or yogurt later in the day
• Yogurt parfait: Alternate layers of Greek yogurt and berries
• Smoothies: Blend berries with other favorite smoothie ingredients, such as bananas, almond milk, and protein powder
• Salads: Add berries to spinach and other salad ingredients and drizzle with a vinaigrette
• Baking: Fold berries into muffin or bread batter. Berry cobblers are also easy to make.

To prevent mold from forming on them, it’s best to keep fresh berries dry in the refrigerator and wash them just before use. Soak berries in cold water for about 10 minutes and let them drain in a colander for a few minutes.

If you want to put some berries in your freezer for later enjoyment, soak berries in cold water for 10 minutes, drain, pat them dry, and remove any stems or other debris. Spread berries in a single layer on a cookie sheet lined with non-stick aluminum foil or parchment paper and place in your freezer until they are frozen solid. Take the frozen berries off the cookie sheet and place in a plastic freezer bag or other airtight container. Squeeze the bag to remove excess air and close it tightly. Marking the type of berries and the date on the bag is helpful, so later you’ll know which kind of berries they are and how long they’ve been in the freezer.

Summer’s Best Eating

We hope you’ll visit a local berry farm or farmers market this summer to pick up plenty of Vermont-grown berries and enjoy them in a wide variety of meals. Berries will add a pop of flavor to your summer recipes and you’ll also enjoy the many health benefits that berries provide. Don’t forget to get some extra for your freezer so you can reward yourself with berries when it’s cold outside!