It's blueberry season in Washington and there is nothing greater than ripe, fresh and in-season fruit AM I RIGHT?
That's why we were a little surprised to learn that our lovely state of Washington is the nation's top producer of blueberries, and I mean - 120 million pound harvest in 2016, 75 percent of that being ~organic, vegan, dairy and gluten free~.
Here's some quick blueberry factoids that you can whip out at any dinner party to impress your guests:
- There are roughly 18,600 acres of blueberries in Washington, 5,600 acres in Eastern WA which now produces about 42 percent of the state's blueberry crop.
- Whatcom, Snohomish and Skagit counties (west of the Cascades), and Benton and Franklin counties in Eastern Washington are the state’s top blueberry-growing areas.
- Whatcom County produces more than any other county in the state, with more than 7,000 acres of blueberries, which is double the area’s 2010 acreage. One-third of its plantings are five or less years old.
- In 2017-2018 at least 1,000 new acres of blueberries were planted in Washington State.
Happy happy blueberry season, friends. May your salads, smoothies and snacks be full of 'em.
