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Fr
ee
July 2013
North Georgia’s Agricultural Newspaper
Strawberries: a berry perfect ‘pick’ By David B. Strickland Georgia Ag News Staff
dstrickland@poultrytimes.net
GAINESVILLE — Whether bought at a supermarket, farmers’ market or a you-pick farm, strawberries are abundantly ready and ripe for the season. Many state strawberry associations also tout the nutritional benefits of the berries. The California Strawberry Commission notes that strawberries are rich in vitamins, potassium and fiber. Adding that a serving of strawberries (about eight) contains more vitamin C than even an orange. Interestingly, the strawberry is not actually a true berry. A member of the rose family, a strawberry is an “achene” or “false fruit,” notes information from the University of California-Davis Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources. This means the fruit is made up of several tiny fruits all contained in the familiar red packages. What is considered to be the seeds all around the fruit, are actually the “true fruits.” All of these combined berry units makes strawberries nice sources of fiber, the university notes.
Selecting & storing Picking out nice strawberries at the market and getting the most from them once home is a relatively easy process. Look for strawberries that have a bright, red appearance that is glossy, notes the information provided by UC-Davis. Strawberries that are beginning to spoil will be mushy, shriveled and dull. For storage, the university recommends the berries be placed in
the refrigerator crisper at 32 degrees F to 36 degrees F. Also, keep the strawberries in the plastic, clamshell packaging. This will maintain higher humidity and prevent the loss of moisture in the berries, which is the cause of the shriveling. Wash just before you plan to eat or cook with the strawberries, UCDavis adds. Washing adds moisture and if the berries are not going to be immediately consumed, this excess moisture could lead to early spoilage. The preferred method is simply rinsing the strawberries under cool, running water and then placed in a strainer to dry or patted dry with a clean, paper towel. It’s not recommended to wash them in a container or sink filled with water because the standing water could potentially spread any possible contamination. Strawberries should be good for approximately seven days after purchase if they are stored correctly, but this is also dependent on ripeness at the time of purchase, the university notes.
Georgia’s farms The Georgia Farm Bureau is promoting the farms in the state where you can pick your own strawberries, as noted in a release. “With all the experiences and products available, visits to strawberry you-pick markets offer consumers a great value,” said Zippy Duvall, Georgia Farm Bureau president. “The strawberries are delicious and people get to see some of what happens on a farm.” GFB provides a listing of markets that sell fresh strawberries, as well as other fresh produce, throughout the state. More information about this can be obtained at www.gfb.org/commodities/cfm/ default.html.
Photo by David B. Strickland
Red, white and blue: Perfect for July 4 holiday snacking, and for making strawberry shortcakes, strawberries are tasty and nutritious summertime treats.
Summer brings diverse weather By Barbara Olejnik Georgia Ag News Staff bolejnik@poultrytimes.net
GAINESVILLE — Summer has officially arrived and some great beach weekends are ahead, although beachgoers may have to contend with some especially hot days or possibly a major storm.
According to the Farmer’s Almanac, with the exception of New England and the Northern half of the Mid-Atlantic region, the Eastern half of the U.S. and Canada is expected to see some very hot weather with normal amounts of precipitation. The hot weather forecast doesn’t get any better as summer pro-
gresses. The Almanac says that as August opens, the scorching heat will peak, with temperatures well into the 100s predicted for the entire East Coast. With such hot weather predicted, it may be time to head to the beach where cool water and ocean breezes
See Weather, Page 8