At this time of year which is the prime season, chefs and home bakers alike are seen stocking up on gloriously juicy local blueberries—thinking of the pies, tarts, cobblers, sauces, scones, muffins, jams, smoothies, coffee cakes, and pancakes
, can be made…
The berries go extremely well with salad greens and salmon as they do with yogurt and granola, and make for sweet seasonal spins on classic cocktails like mojitos and margaritas.
One thing remains undetered our love of blueberries with this pandemic around.
BC Blueberry Council recently released its outlook for the 2020 harvest, and it’s clear that this is one of the roughest summers on record. The Council is advising all members in the produce and/or packing sectors to keep themselves and their employees safe by ensuring that all employees and workers practice social distancing
, and maintain and increase the frequency of all proper sanitation practises, as well as increased hand washing at all times. Most importantly, they are encouraging people to stay home if they are feeling unwell and to seek medical attention if experiencing symptoms of the virus.
Can I Eat Blueberries
Safely washed with cold running water, blueberries, “Powered by Nature” are a superfood and can be consumed with precautions.
You can’t go wrong eating blueberries as they continue to be one of the best choices to include in a healthy diet.
They’re full of the essential fibre
, vitamins and minerals that promote a healthy immune system and help you fight off illness, including vitamin C, K and manganese, as well as zinc, calcium and magnesium, and plenty more.
Adding the health-boosting power of blueberries into your diet is easy and delicious!
Points to Note before Buying Some Blueberries
Fresh BC blueberries can be found as close as your nearest grocery store or supermarket. Simply look for ‘Product of BC’ on the label and you’ll know you’re enjoying fresh, local BC grown blueberries.
Alteration Practices Followed by Farmers:
- Communication with customers
- Customer handwashing
- Picking containers
- Physical distancing
- Payment practices
- Operation of farm stands
If you would like to visit a U-pick farm, remember these considerations:
- Do not bring your own containers to pick berries
- Do not eat in the field or taste test the berries
- Maintain distance of two meters from those not in your family group, including farm staff
- Wash your hands with soap (or use hand sanitizer with 60% alcohol or higher) before and after your visit
- Practice contactless payment if possible- using a card instead of cash
Please remember the procedures outlined above are mandatory and not suggestions to consumers.
