STAWBERRY SEASON GETTING UNDERWAY ACROSS IOWA
Iowa Department of Agriculture
Iowans encouraged to visit a strawberry grower or shop at a farmers market to enjoy these fresh, delicious treats
DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today said that strawberry growers across the state are starting to welcome customers and expect prime picking season in early June. In many parts of the state, strawberries were a little slow to ripen, but the recent increase in temperature has helped the berries mature. Many Iowa growers are predicting a very good strawberry crop this season.
“Fresh picked strawberries are a delicious treat that often kickoff the growing season and summer full of enjoying fresh, Iowa-grown fruits and vegetables. Visiting a local farmers market or going to a you-pick farm is a great way to find fresh berries that can be enjoyed fresh, used in baking or preserved as jellies or jams,” Northey said.
Once picked strawberries do not continue to ripen like some fruits and vegetables so select vibrant red berries. Strawberries have a short shelf life and should be eaten within a few days of being picked.
In addition to tasting great, strawberries are low in calories and fat-free, in fact one-cup of unsweetened strawberries only has 55 calories. Strawberries are also a good source of vitamin C, folic acid, potassium, and fiber.
Support a local grower and treat your family to a fun-filled trip to the strawberry patch and make memories that will last a lifetime. If visiting a strawberry patch, be sure to call or check the website for their harvest information.
You can find strawberry growers by visiting our Fruit and Vegetable Farms Directory at https://www.idalsdata.org/fmnp/index.cfm or on the Iowa Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association “farm search” page at http://www.ifvga.org/en/about_us/farm_search/.
