Benefits of Picking Your Own Blueberries
Introduction
In addition to the cost savings advantages of picking your own blueberries there are many other benefits that are discussed in this article.
Cost savings
The savings you can recognize by picking your own are usually over a 50% savings. However an even greater benefit can be realized in other ways as discussed below.
Other great benefits of picking your own fruit
It is an adventure of fun for the whole family . — This is an adventure in which you can save money. If you are like me you love a good cost savings (Debt Free) Adventure! Taking the family on a field trip to a pick their own blueberries is an outstanding and thrifty way to take the family collectively as a group for a natural and fun-filled time. Many times the host farms will offer treats and rides or other entertainment for the children. I still remember some of the fun times we have had on such field trips.
It supports the local economy – Food on average travels about 1500 miles from the source to your table. Much of the money goes to pay for transportation and to large corporations outside of your area. Instead of lining the pockets of wealthy corporations and major market chains by picking your fruit locally your cash is going back into your community. It goes toward putting provisions on the table for one of your fellow neighborhood members. Supporting the local economy also increases the health of the community. It also increases the chances that a neighborhood farm will be around for other generations to enjoy! In addition it saves energy by requiring less fuel for transportation which is good for the environment!
It provides you with knowledge of the source – By driving to a local farm you can become acquainted with the producer as well as learn a little about farm conditions. By picking fruit yourself you are in charge of your purchase. By picking your own fruit you are fully conscious of the where the food was grown and the practices used in its production. When you buy from a food chain you have no control over the source of the product or the conditions under which the blueberries were grown. Some local grocers may purchase some blueberries locally and if they do that’s great. If you want fruit grown without the use of pesticides and herbicides, go to a farm that does not use them on their plants. If you want only large blueberries, pick only the large berries. If you want small berries for use in pastries pick only the small berries.
You can preserve fruit to use the year around – By picking your own blueberries you will be able to have the benefit of fresh fruit. You can save some of the fruit not used fresh and preserve it for later use. You can freeze the fruit you will not use fresh. You can also use some to make juice and jam to enjoy year around. Here are the most common ways to preserve berries:
- Freeze them- This is an excellent way to store blueberries. It allows you to pull them out at anytime and enjoy the blueberries all year around. Frozen blueberries have all the healthy antioxidants in them that are in fresh blueberries.
- Make juice – This is a good way to have a great healthy drink. It can also be used to make other things such as jelly.
- Make jam- You can also make preserves, jam, and jelly for use as an extremely appetizing fruit treat.
It is healthy both physically and mentally – Fresh picked fruit grown without the use of pesticides and herbicide is good for you and also getting outside while picking them is great exercise. Interacting with your food in its natural environment and getting your hands soiled is a healthy experience for everyone involved. It reminds you of where your food comes from. Fresh pesticide free fruit is filled with health benefits and provides an alternative snack to cookies and chips.