• By Mary Jac Brennan
• Posted Friday, May 9, 2014

It's Strawberry Season in North Carolina

Strawberry season is in full swing and anyone who likes fresh, local fruit needs to get out on a farm to pick berries or pick them up at the farm stand. Local berries are sweeter and much more flavorful than berries that have been shipped in from other states. There is really no comparison. You simply can’t beat the taste of a berry grown on a nearby farm.

Find local strawberries for sale at local farmers markets, grocery stores and at pick your own locations in Forsyth County. View a list of local strawberry growers.

For directions on how to freeze fresh, local strawberries see the instruction sheet.

We are encouraging consumers to get out on the farm and pick berries. We hope they will participate in “Short & Sweet Strawberry Share 2014,” and share berries with others, particularly those in need for a chance to win $500.

We hope people will bring their family, friends or church team or work group and give berries to a local food pantry, soup kitchen, day care center, nursing home or other place or person of need.

To learn more about “Short & Sweet Strawberry Share 2014,” visit the N.C. Strawberry Association website www.ncstrawberry.com.

Visit the NC Strawberry Facebook page and post a photo of your experience. Be sure to include a caption with your name, farm where you are picking, the charity you donated the berries to along with their phone number. The winning post will receive a $500 cash prize and an invitation to the Southeast Strawberry Expo at the Pinehurst Resort in Pinehurst, North Carolina (Nov. 17 – 19, 2014).

North Carolina berries are delicious in a number of dishes. Eat them fresh, just as they are or add them to cereal, pair them with seafood dishes, toss them into salads with nuts and seeds. They freeze well and they are healthy. They contain vitamins, minerals and other healthy compounds that help reduce the risk of diseases. Help a local farmer and help yourself!