WRITTEN BY AISLINN SARNACKI When the last glacier receded from the Down East area about 12,000 years ago, it left behind sandy soil and rocky-strewn barrens that became populated with a very special fruit: Maine’s famous wild blueberry. Bursting with flavor, these nutritious berries were tended and gathered by the indigenous people of the land, who used them for food and medicine. Today, they are one of Maine’s most iconic products, featured in pies and jams, ice cream and pancakes.
The list of products goes on and on. Maine grows 99 percent of the wild blueberries sold in the U.S.
, according to Eric Venturini, executive director of the Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine. More than 500 wild blueberry farmers grow up to 100 million pounds of fruit per year. “Folks are proud of this unique industry where you have the incredible combination of the food being truly wild food and yet it’s stewarded by farmers,” said Venturini.
“Every Mainer knows that wild blueberries are better than ordinary blueberries. It’s because they’re healthier, but it’s also because they taste far better.” When Maine’s blueberries become ripe this summer, here are a few ways you can enjoy them and support local businesses in the process.
Maine Wild Blueberry Weekend One of the best ways you can connect with local blueberry farmers and enjoy their products is by participating in the fourth annual Maine Wild Blueberry Weekend, Aug. 3-4, at select farms and businesses throughout the sta.
