Blueberry Pickin' Fun

Try saying this as fast as possible:
“Blueberry Blog, Blueberry Blog, Blueberry Blog, Blueberry Blog, Blueberry Blog.”

Despite the fact that we’re a Spartan household, there’s been a whole lotta blue going on in our kitchen lately. Blueberry Snacks, Blueberry Pancakes, Blueberry Muffins, Blueberry Smoothies. I’m even hoping to try a recipe I came across for Blueberry Salsa.


A few weeks ago I took my kids and a couple of their friends blueberry picking. I decided to go to Krupka’s Blueberry Plantation in Fennville, in the heart of West Michigan’s fruit belt. As a blueberry-picking novice, I wanted to be sure we found the truest bluest blueberries available. And, since in addition to their U-pick operation, Krupka’s grows blueberries for commercial customers, including Cranes Pie Pantry and Palazollo’s Gelato & Sorbetto, I reasoned their blueberries would be among the best. We were not disappointed.

Set back off of 68th street, Krupka’s boasts 70 acres of blueberry bushes. We were going to be busy! After a brief blueberry-picking tutorial (twist the berry off the stem, don’t yank), the berry staff tied plastic-lined pails around our waists, encouraging us to use both hands for picking. Brilliant! Krupka’s, like most U-pick Farms I’m sure, charges pickers by the weight. That being said, they probably should have weighed my kids prior to sending them scurrying into the orchard, because during the first fifteen minutes, at least as many berries went into greedy little mouths as into buckets. But I must admit, those juicy little spheres bursting with tarty sweetness sure were tempting. And as a mom, how could I object? Blueberries reportedly pack more antioxidants than spinach – and good luck getting any kid to go spinach picking.

Blueberries have gained a great deal of media attention lately – touted as a new “super food”. If that’s the case, then West Michigan is definitely the “super producer” growing more blueberries here than anywhere else in North America, which is why South Haven will be celebrating with the 45th National Blueberry Festival, August 7 – 10, http://www.blueberryfestival.com/.

So, what did we end up with after our blueberry excursion was all said and done? A total of 12 ½ pounds of blueberries – and 50 purplish fingers!