Farmer Dave Gives Berry Good Advice

Farmer Dave, as he likes to be called, at Mission Berry Farms in Frankton, Indiana knows a thing or two about berries. Although his CSA won't offer berries until next year, Dave says that many of his customers buy berries at markets or U-Picks and often ask him questions about the best way to transport, store, and/or preserve the delicate fruits.

Dave says that berries are highly perishable and notes that if you are planning on buying berries or picking them you should go straight home with them. Once you get them home, he says not to put strawberries or red raspberries in the refrigerator. Keep them in a cool dark place in your kitchen and, he suggests, "eat them within a day or two of picking, freeze them, make a jam, or make a pie. You don't want strawberries or red raspberries sitting around for very long. They'll just turn to mush!" Blackberries are a little bit heartier according to Dave and can be placed in your refrigeratorfor a few days. But perhaps his best advice is to just eat them when you can get them. "Why wait?", he asks. "These beautiful berries are really meant to be enjoyed freshly picked at their peak of perfection during their short seasons."

Dave will be hosting a Farm Tour on Saturday, June 13 from 10:00 a.m. to noon. where he'll be available to talk to you about how he grows his produce and show you around his farm. To get more information about the free, family friendly event, contact Dave at farmerdave@missionberryfarms.com.

Photo: Courtesy of Mission Berry Farms
           Spring 2009 field