What’s your favorite kind of berry? Blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, or strawberries? I don’t think I could pick just one! Berries are usually a favorite for kids because they’re sweet, colorful, and perfectly bite-sized. Late spring and summer are when locally grown berries are available and most affordable. Fresh berries can be expensive when bought out of season, but I find that frozen berries work well for most uses and are affordable year-round.
Berry Nutrition Facts
Berries are bursting with nutrition! They provide Vitamin C for healing cuts and keeping your skin and teeth healthy. Berries are also great sources of fiber, which keeps your digestive system healthy, makes you feel fuller for longer, and can help with weight management. Berries also provide potassium, which helps control blood pressure, and folate, an important nutrient for a healthy development of unborn babies. Berries are also well known for their antioxidants. Antioxidants are special compounds in plants that help protect cells from damage. Berries, and blueberries in particular, have been associated with good brain health and prevention of memory problems as we age.
Berries in Virginia
Virginia farmers sold an estimated $1,687,700 worth of berries in 2012. Virginia farmers grew a variety of different berries, but the most popular are strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries. And most berry farmers in Virginia sell directly to consumers, at farmers markets or on the farm with pick-your-own fields and farm stands. This means that you’re more likely to be able to meet the person who grew the berries and see their fields for yourself. A trip to a local pick-your-own berry farm is a great way to spend the afternoon with your kids, moving more as you pick, and getting a hands-on introduction to where their foods comes from.
Make memories your kids won’t forget while teaching them to love healthy foods.
Eating Smart with Berries
As with most fresh fruit, I prefer eating berries straight out of the bowl (after a good rinsing of course). Berries are also a perfect yogurt add-in. But you can make a lot of tasty recipes with fresh and frozen berries to satisfy your sweet tooth or start the day off right. Try these berry recipes or experiment with making your own smoothie or popsicle recipes with your kids.
- Rainbow Fruit Kabobs
- Fruit Kabobs with Yogurt Dip
- Fruit Rice Cakes
- Strawberry Kiwi Salsa
- Strawberry Pasta Salad
- Strawberries with Balsamic Vinegar
- Blueberry Coffee Cake
- Berry Bread Pudding
- Blueberry Muffins
- Berry Purple Smoothie
- Berry Jams Party Bites
- Berry Good Dessert
- Crunchy Berry Parfait
- Yogurt Berry Parfait
- Breakfast Parfait
- Whole Grain Strawberry Pancakes
- Strawberries, White Bean, and Edamame Salad
- Strawberry S’Mores
- Fruit Salad with Yogurt
- Fudgy Fruit
- Springtime Cereal
- Fruit and Peanut Butter Dip
- Fruity Fun Chicken Salad Cups
- Summer Fruit Salad
- Chilled Blueberry Soup
- California Avocado Super Summer Wrap
- Watermelon Kabobs
- Cranberry Spritzer
- Chicken and Cranberry Salad
- Apple Cranberry Salad Toss
- Cranberry Pumpkin Muffins
- Porcupine Sliders
- Overnight Oatmeal
Celebrate National Berry Month by learning all about berries and trying some berry recipes.
In honor of National Berry Month, take advantage of the berries grown in our state. Visit a farmers market or a local pick-your-own farm. Have you ever taken your family berry picking? What was the experience like for your kids?