NC Dept of Agriculture Expects Good Late-variety Blueberry Crop

“Blueberry Days” Planned for Raleigh and Colfax in June 2017

By Dexter Hill, NCDA&CS

Despite a late March freeze that affected early varieties of blueberries grown in North Carolina, marketing specialists with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) anticipate plenty of later varieties available for consumers to enjoy.

“This has been an unusual growing season for local blueberry growers, but that’s exactly why they plant so many different varieties,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “The quality and quantity of later varieties should be good through July.”

North Carolina is the sixth-largest producer of blueberries in the nation, with about 8,000 acres of blueberries grown in the state, said Dexter Hill, NCDA&CS marketing specialist. In 2015, blueberry production was valued at $77.9 million. The majority of blueberries grown in the state are sold to retail stores, Hill said. When buying blueberries, the department encourages consumers to look for “North Carolina” on the label.

To celebrate the season, the department will host two Blueberry Days in June, where visitors can enjoy free samples of blueberry desserts and find fresh blueberries for sale.

  • The State Farmers Market (1201 Agriculture Street, Raleigh NC) will host Blueberry Day on June 15, 2017, 11am-1pm.
  • The Robert G. Shaw Piedmont Triad Farmers Market (2914 Sandy Ridge Road, Colfax NC) will host Blueberry Day on June 16, 2017, 11am-1pm.

Consumers can find information about NC blueberries and a variety of blueberry recipes on the NC Blueberry Council website at www.ncblueberries.com.

 

Ed. Note: In addition to the state-organized events mentioned above, Vollmer Farm in Bunn NC (Franklin County) is holding its annual Blueberry Music Festival on Saturday, June 24, 2017, 2-10pm. See more at www.vollmerfarm.com/blueberry-music-festival.html. This event also raises funds for the Franklin Feeds food pantry.

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About Kay Whatley 2309 Articles
Kay Whatley serves as Editor and Reporter with The Grey Area News. Kay is a published author with over 20 years of experience in the publishing industry. Kay Whatley is wife to Frank Whatley, founder of The Grey Area™ newspaper and The Grey Area News online news website.