Strawberries

Michigan’s strawberry season starts in early June and can extend into mid July. Look for Michigan strawberries in-store or find them where they’re largely produced, in Berrien, Leelanau and Van Buren counties.

Michigan Strawberry facts:

• Michigan grows strawberries for both fresh and processed uses
• In 2009, Michigan produced 43,000 tons of fresh strawberries and 3,000 tons of processed strawberries, generating $6.6 million
• Most of the fresh Michigan strawberries were picked by consumers at “u-pick” operations around the state

Nutrition:

• Strawberries contain 80 percent of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin C
• They are an excellent source of potassium, which can help control blood pressure and fight strokes
• They are an excellent source of fiber, which help reduce total cholesterol levels