First, says Young,
“We need good, fresh, carefully picked and packaged berries.” He adds,
“We don’t want berries in gallon buckets- we buy by pints only.”
He recommends that
growers check with the eventual seller to see what packaging size and form
will be best. Most fruit markets will provide containers to their
growers free.
Also, Young advises
growers to try and raise varieties which ripen and mature sooner than
others. Berries which come ripe even a few days sooner than the main
flood of produce will bring a higher price from fruit markets - so growers
should try to grow early ripening varieties. Again check with local
extension agents to try and determine what varieties will ripen sooner in
a specific growing region.
When asked what is
the biggest benefit a fruit market offers berry growers, Young smiled and
said, "We buy in quantities - I have a customer base which is very large.
I provide a grower with a place to sell in bulk!”
I believe blueberries
to be just about the perfect fruit for smallholders who want to not only
improve their personal nutrition, but also generate a little extra cash at
the same time. Although the smallholder probably won’t get rich
selling blueberries, that little extra cash in summer time always seems to
come at a good time at our house.
If properly planned,
planted, and maintained, a blueberry patch will provide great benefits to
the smallholder for years to come. Spend a little time speaking with
local university extension agents, walking over the property looking for
good planting areas, and then planting good, suitable bushes. In just a
few years, the berries - and the cash - will start rolling in.
