Strong blueberry season expected

June 25, 2015, Vancouver, B.C. — It’s that time of year again! After experiencing another unseasonably warm and sunny winter, British Columbia’s 800 blueberry farmers have been busy hand-picking the first berries of the season since June 20.

With what is being called the earliest start to a blueberry season in recent memory, both the blueberry industry and consumers can look forward to an ample supply of blueberries this summer.

“Thanks to Mother Nature blessing us with a warm winter, blueberry lovers can now find B.C. berries in supermarkets, farmers’ markets and produce stores across the province,” said Debbie Etsell, executive director of the B.C. Blueberry Council. “Thanks to warm days and good pollination weather, everyone can expect to enjoy a steady supply of blueberries throughout the season.” This year’s crop is expected to be on par with 2014’s harvest of nearly 68 million kilograms, solidifying British Columbia’s claim as the largest highbush blueberry growing region in the world, with Canada ranking third as a country.

Available at supermarkets and produce stores throughout Canada, the best way to enjoy B.C. blueberries is by the handful. But for those who are handy in the kitchen, the BCblueberry.com website has more than 100 recipes with creative and healthy ideas on how to use the berries – from nutritious breakfasts and traditional baking, through to salads, cocktails and ideas for the grill. Finish dinner with a decadent slice of Blueberry Lemon Pudding Pie, or let the kids devour healthy Blueberry Yogurt Ice Pops (recipe below). 

B.C. blueberry fans can keep up-to-date on recipes, health news and more via the BC Blueberries Facebook page.

About the British Columbia Blueberry Council
The British Columbia Blueberry Council represents over 800 blueberry growers, located in some of Canada’s most rich and fertile farmland. Plantings of premium quality highbush blueberries top 11,000 hectares in British Columbia and produce upwards of 69 million kilograms of blueberries annually. With more than $1 billion in sales in the past five years, Canada is the third largest national producer of sweet and juicy highbush blueberries in the world. Available fresh in B.C. from July through October, BC blueberries are also frozen, dried, juiced, pureed and powdered, available for year round-distribution throughout Canada and around the world.

Blueberry Yogurt Ice Pops

Yields: 6-8 popsicles
 

Ingredients:

• 1½ cups (225 g) B.C. blueberries, fresh or frozen
• 1 cup (240 ml) Greek yogurt or full fat yogurt
• ¾ cup (175 ml) pineapple juice
• 3 tbsp (45 ml) maple syrup

Directions:

• Mix all the ingredients in a blender on high speed until smooth.
• Pour into popsicle moulds and freeze.