ALLENWOOD —
It's a week into the prime-time, six-week season for picking blueberries in the Valley, and already a steady stream of customers is driving up to the open produce stand in front of Byers' Blueberry Farm, looking to pick and buy berries.
The operation is a 20-acre farm, with five acres devoted solely to blueberries.
The increased blueberry business likely is due to the fruit being named a "superfood in the United States — a food that provides extreme health benefits when eaten," said Ed Byers, owner of the farm.
Byers, who has been selling blueberries and other produce for 31 years locally to individual customers, Bucknell University and supermarket chains like Wegman's, said: "It's an antioxidant. We grow ours organically. We don't spray with insecticides. I think people around here appreciate that."
Judy Gowin, of Allenwood, who works at the farm, said she has had regular customers who are cancer patients stop for blueberries on their way to treatments. Some people also believe the berries help ward off Alzheimer's disease.
The farm grows enough blueberries to fill 95 flats, containing 16 pints per flat, each week, which Byers drives to several Wegman's supermarkets in Pennsylvania and New York.
Looking out over his expansive blueberry grove on Tuesday, Byers noted that this year's crop is not as good as the last two years. "Blueberries love water," he said. "The drier the weather, the smaller and sweeter the blueberries. We haven't had a lot of rain this year."
Minutes later, the skies opened up, and it began to rain.
That didn't prevent Myrna Delp and her husband, Jonathan, of Jersey Shore, from stopping by for a few pints of blueberries. But with the rain pouring down, they decided to buy a pre-picked bucket for $5 rather than pick their own.
"I love blueberries," Myrna Delp said. "I make pancakes with them, pies and ice cream. It's even better news that it's good for me too."
On a rainy, overcast Tuesday, the Delps were two of about 50 customers.
"That's nothing compared to when the weather is good and on the weekends," Byers said.
During the season, Byers' Blueberry Farm is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
"We'll be open until the end of the season and beyond," he promised. "When we have no blueberries left to sell, we'll close up.
News
Related Photos
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Robert Inglis/The Daily ItemDebby Dixon, of Penns Creek, picks blueberries at Byers' Blueberry Farm, Allenwood, on Tuesday afternoon. Robert Inglis
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Ed and Susan Byers own and operate Byers' Blueberry Farm. Five of their 20 acres are devoted solely to blueberries.Robert Inglis/The Daily Item Robert Inglis
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You can now pick your own blueberries at Byers Blueberry Farm in Allenwood where the season is now blossoming. Robert Inglis
Discussion
It's blueberry picking and grinning season
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