Commodity Spotlight: Florida Blueberries
July 8, 2010
The members of the Florida Blueberry Growers Association dedicate themselves to providing the blueberry consumer with high quality, fresh blueberries in late March, April and early May. During at least half of this time, the organization is the sole producer of the only fresh blueberries in the world.
In honor of National Blueberry Month (July), here are some fun facts regarding Florida’s blueberry industry:
- Last year, Florida produced 15 million pounds of blueberries valued at approximately $7 million
- There are more than 300 growers totaling more than 3,000 acres of blueberry crop in Florida
- Blueberries are grown in 55 of the state’s counties with no commercial production south of Labelle, Florida
- Only Florida grows fresh blueberries from late March to early May
- Blueberries contain a number of health benefits, including cancer fighting anti-oxidants, anti-aging and memory enhancers, cardiovascular disease and stroke reduction compounds and infection fighting compounds, among others.
- Most Florida blueberries are found freshly packed in the spring in the best produce markets, rather than inside of jams, jellies or muffins.
For all the blueberry lovers out there, and to celebrate National Blueberry Month, try your hand at the Berry Recipes made available by the Florida Blueberry Growers Association on their website.
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