By Karen Stauderman, UF/IFAS Commercial Horticulture Agent II
UF/IFAS Volusia County Extension Commercial Horticulture, Family and Consumer Sciences, and Family Nutrition Program agents and staff teamed up to deliver a special event on April 17 at the Volusia County Farm Bureau Wednesday farmers market. Hundreds of shoppers there were treated to a blueberry education and sweet treats featuring blueberry shortcake made from Florida blueberries. The 450 shortcake samples went quickly. Other giveaways were recipes and lists of U-Pick blueberry sites in Central Florida. Commercial Horticulture Agent, Karen Stauderman and Family and Consumer Sciences Agent Lisa Hamilton gave the presentation.
Also that day, UF/IFAS Family Nutrition Program staff held a ‘farmers market day’ event for families with children attending Head Start. The families participated in nutrition classes at the Volusia County Agricultural Center then received vouchers to shop at the market. Attending youngsters were able to create a blueberry-decorated clay pot using a wine cork to stamp blue paint, creating “blueberries.”
In Florida, blueberry season runs from late March through mid-May. According to Growing Produce (Oct. 26, 2018), there are more than 7,000 acres of blueberries in commercial production here, based on the 2018 acreage reports. Florida has a reputation for quality, fresh blueberries. For more information on U-Pick blueberry locations in Central Florida contact the UF/IFAS Extension Services office at 386-822-5778.