Contacts:
Kelly Loftus, Agency of Agriculture, (802) 828-3829

Thursday, June 21, 2007

Montpelier, Vt – Farmers’ markets, farm stands and pick-your-own fields will soon be awash in red, with Vermont strawberries coming into season a bit early this year.

According to Steve Justis, Senior Agricultural Development Specialist with the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, weather has played an important role in this years strawberry crop. “The weather has been favorable for strawberries this season. Reports for May showed precipitation was below normal across the state and temperatures were near normal. This is in contrast to the 2006 season where conditions were very wet with flooding in some areas,” said Justis.

Early reports indicate a more plentiful strawberry crop this year with larger berries. In addition, they are ripening slightly ahead of schedule which means now is the time to get the best berries the season has to offer. Growers from all over the state are reporting excellent crops. “We’re looking at a bumper crop this year,” said Sam Mazza of the Mazza Farm in Colchester, VT. “The berries are big and sweet. The season is here and the weather is favorable.”

Strawberries are versatile and delicious, and they pack a nutritional punch as well. They are an excellent source of vitamin C, fiber, folic acid and potassium. Strawberries are low in calories and fat free. Eight medium strawberries have more vitamin C than one orange!

“This is a great time to take the family out to enjoy the Vermont countryside and pick fresh strawberries,” commented Roger Allbee, Secretary of the Vermont Agency of Agriculture. “When you buy local you are supporting your local farmers and the local community.”

Vermont has 90 strawberry producers using 188 acres with almost 2 million pounds of berries produced. Whether you prefer to purchase your strawberries at a farmers’ market or pick your own, you can find a list of farm stands, farmers’ markets and pick-your-own fields in Vermont at www.vermontagriculture.com.

“We’re looking at an excellent crop of berries this year. I’ve been growing strawberries for 42 years and this looks like it could be one of the best yet,” said Iva Lieberg of Lieberg’s Berries in West Pawlet, VT.