As the cold weather sets in and snow begins to fall in New England, it feels like the holiday season is finally here. Break out the decorations and baking supplies because it’s time to start preparing! If you’re the plan ahead type, then chances are you’re starting to put together your holiday shopping list to create some delicious savory goodies for your family, friends, neighbors, and coworkers.
This holiday, consider putting a wild spin on your traditional sides and appetizers by adding wild blueberries into the mix. Wild blues are frozen at the peak of freshness, loaded with nutrients, and bursting with a wonderfully intense blueberry taste, making them the perfect addition to any holiday treat. Let’s get cooking!
Berry Merry & Bright Holiday Bites:
1. Wild Blueberry & Rosemary Stuffed Baked Brie
Nothing screams the holidays like melted cheese and delectable holiday spices! This Wild Blueberry & Rosemary Stuffed Baked Brie appetizer is the perfect dish for guests to dive headfirst into. The creamy cheese melds wonderfully with the tanginess of wild blueberries. This appetizer promises a delightful fusion that captures the essence of holiday joy.
2. Rustic Wild Blueberry Relish with Cashew “Crema” & Crostini
Indulge in the rustic charm of the season with our Rustic Wild Blueberry Relish served over a bed of peppery arugula, velvety cashew crema, and crispy whole grain crostini. This vibrant appetizer dances with the sweet allure of wild blueberries, creating a symphony of flavors that will harmonize perfectly with your holiday spread.
3. Skinny Turkey Meatballs with Wild Blueberry BBQ Sauce
Kick off a healthier holiday indulgence with our Skinny Turkey Meatballs with Wild Blueberry BBQ Sauce. These guilt-free delights combine the lean goodness of turkey with the smoky notes of wild blueberries, promising a flavorful start to your festive gathering that won’t weigh you down.
4. Maple Cinnamon Sweet Potato Coins with Wild Blueberry Goat Cheese
Elevate your holiday snack game with these Roasted Cinnamon & Wild Blueberry Chickpeas, a crunchy and wholesome treat that’s both nutritious and delicious. The warmth of the cinnamon melds seamlessly with the burst of berry goodness in every crispy chickpea, creating a festive nibble that will have your guests reaching for more throughout the night.
Looking for some more holiday recipe inspiration to spice up your table spread? Visit our recipe library for some flavorful blueberry recipes, guaranteed to help you earn extra brownie points at any gathering you attend.
From everyone here at Wild Blueberries, thank you for the continuous love and support we see from you all year round. We wish you and your family a happy and healthy holiday season. May your days be filled with love, laughs, and a whole lot of wild.
Can you believe Thanksgiving is right around the corner? If you’re hosting a family gathering this year, we have some scrumptious wild blueberry dessert recipes for you to choose from, so you can bring your own slice of heaven to the Thanksgiving table. Incorporating this brain healthy, indigenous, wild fruit into your Thanksgiving day is sure to be a crowd pleaser. Plus, this flavorful fruit packs a more intense blueberry flavor than ordinary blueberries, so it is sure to make your holiday a whole lot sweeter. Looking for some inspiration? Give one of these five wild blueberry pie recipes a go this Thanksgiving Day.
1. Mary Blenk’s Famous Maine Wild Blueberry Pie
Here in Maine, there’s always a table full of pies at Thanksgiving. This award winning pie recipe–Mary Blenk’s Maine Wild Blueberry Pie– will be the star of your pie table and the perfect end to your Thanksgiving meal. It is award winning after all…
2. Classic Wild Blueberry Pie
Keep it sweet and simple by baking this classic Wild Blueberry Pie. Not only is it filled with purple and blue goodness, but the layered golden crust is extra delicious!
3. Maine Wild Blueberry Pie
Bring the taste of Maine with you this Thanksgiving holiday. Enjoy our take on a classic Maine Wild Blueberry Pie, featuring a flaky crust brimming with sweet-tart native wild blueberries.
4. Wild Blueberry Lemon Cream Cheese Pound Cake
Savor the fruity fusion of tangy lemon and sweet wild blueberries in our Wild Blueberry Lemon Cream Cheese Pound Cake. This moist and dense pound cake, enriched with the luxurious creaminess of cream cheese and bursts of wild blueberry goodness, is the perfect addition to your feast.
5. Wild Blueberry and Apple Crisp
Who doesn’t love a simple apple crisp? We do but adding some wild blueberries to it will bring it to the next level. This Wild Blueberry and Apple Crisp recipe is vegan and gluten-free, uses minimal sugar and no butter. Delicious flavor and healthy to boot – win win!
6. Wild Blueberry Tart with Foolproof, Gluten-Free Crust
Indulge in this luscious Wild Blueberry Tart, featuring a foolproof, gluten-free crust that effortlessly complements the naturally sweet wild blueberries. This delectable dessert is a delightful harmony of a crisp, buttery crust with bursts of vibrant wild blueberries.
If you try one of the above recipes, let us know which one your family loved most! Take a picture, post on social, and tag us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter so we can see your *wild* Thanksgiving spread.
We hope you enjoy spending time with family and friends and take time to remember what you’re most grateful for. Thank you for being part of the wild blueberry community–we’re grateful for you. Happy Turkey Day!
Halloween is just around the corner, and we’ve got quite the lineup of bewitching treats for you and your little goblins! This scary good holiday doesn’t have to be all about candy bars and processed snacks—remember the times when the most cherished treats were handmade caramel apples and popcorn balls? If you’re hosting a Halloween gathering, consider enchanting your guests with a selection of wickedly eye-catching treats straight from your kitchen. And when it comes to crafting delightful and nutritious home-made desserts, wild blueberries are the secret ingredient that can make a world of difference—both in flavor and health! These tiny, nutrient-dense powerhouses can help support whole body health, making them an ideal addition to your child’s spooky sweets this Halloween.
Now onto the spooky fun, filled with some wild blueberry goodness!
*Wild* Halloween Desserts You’ll Howl For
Bat-Shaped Cookies with Naturally Colored Wild Blueberry Icing
These Bat-Shaped Wild Blueberry Cookies are equal parts adorable and eerie (well maybe not—the little bat faces are pretty cute!). Get ready to sink your teeth into the dark and delicious with this fun recipe. Plus, if you’re not fond of having your kids decorate cookies with artificial food colors, we’ve got good news for you—the icing is naturally colored from the vibrant wild blueberries!
Wild Boo-Berry Snack Balls
Boo-Berry Snack Balls, anyone? These bite-sized treats are a hauntingly healthy delight. A mix of oats, dates, cashews, and coconut, these balls are perfect for snacking on while you plan your costume, or they can serve as fun finger food for Halloween party-goers.
Wild Blueberries & Cream Mummy Cookies
Unwrap a truly *wild* flavor with our Wild Blueberries & Cream Mummy Cookies. These cute and spooky cookies are a scream, and no one will even notice that they are sugar- and gluten-free!
Wild Boo-Berry Bat Gummies
These Wild Boo-Berry Bat Gummies are sure to fly right into your heart, surpassing their store-bought counterparts. The crispy sugared exterior yields to a soft, jam-like center, and with every bite, you’ll experience a harmonious balance of bold, fruity sweetness.
Vegan Wild Blueberry Pumpkin Mug Cake
Don’t forget dessert for one! Our Vegan Wild Blueberry Pumpkin Mug Cake is a quick and easy way to satisfy your sweet tooth. The flavorful wild blues are a heavenly match with pumpkin, and their smaller size makes them perfect for single-serve desserts like this one.
Wild Blueberry Pull-Apart Bread
While the recipe title isn’t specifically Halloween themed, this Wild Blueberry Pull-Apart Bread oozes with eerie excitement—and it could pass for mummy bread! Tear and share this deliciously creepy treat with family and friends or just the kiddos.
How will you and your little goblins celebrate the spooky season? If you decide to spend some quality time together whipping up one of these scrumptious wild blueberry Halloween-themed dessert recipes, make sure to take a photo, post on social media, and tag us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Happy Halloween!
With the back-to-school season here, parents are gearing up for the bustling year ahead. The transition from carefree summer days to structured school routines can pose unique challenges, especially when it comes to ensuring children receive the nutrition they need to perform their best in the classroom. To help with some back-to-school nutrition strategies, we asked one of our favorite mom dietitians, Jenny Shea Rawn, for some tips. Jenny has a Master of Science in Nutrition and a Master of Public Health degree, is an accomplished author, and the loving mother of two young kids, Lucca and Lexi. In her career and role as a mother, she has a profound understanding of the importance nutrition plays in child development. During our conversation, she shared with us her approach to balanced breakfasts and smart lunch box choices that can help kids sustain their energy levels and cognitive function during the long school days.
A Balancing Act: Nutrient-Packed Breakfasts
When it comes to breakfast, Jenny advocates for protein, whole grains, and the inclusion of fruits or vegetables. “It’ll help with blood sugar stabilization and ensure that their brains can be thinking and they can maintain good energy throughout the day,” Jenny explained. To simplify busy mornings, she relies on quick and easy recipes like overnight oats, oatmeal, or smoothies. Her secret weapon? Infusing nutrient-rich wild blueberries. “Besides their nutritional benefits, the berries add a nice flavor to the dishes without adding any sugar. Plus, kids love the purple color. These recipes are super simple, nothing fancy—nobody has time for fancy stuff during the busy school week!”
Emphasizing the value of breakfast, Jenny makes sure her kids begin their day with a meal that nurtures their bodies and minds. Her approach aligns with decades of research, emphasizing that a balanced diet (especially one that includes wild blues) supports cognitive function and concentration in kids. Give one of these three kid-friendly breakfast recipes a try to start your children’s day off right.
Kid-Friendly Wild Blueberry Breakfast Recipes:
Wild Blueberry Almond Butter Overnight Oats: By prepping this dish the night before, Jenny’s found that her mornings run a whole lot smoother! Wild Blueberry-Almond Butter Overnight Oats only take 10 minutes to make, then they sit in the fridge overnight. This healthy mix of fruit, nuts, and grains will help power your kids’ morning while still tasting absolutely delicious.
Wild Blueberry Kefir Breakfast Smoothie: If you’re a fan of the one-minute breakfast, this one’s for you. This Kid-Friendly Wild Blueberry & Kefir Breakfast Smoothie is bursting with flavor—all you have to do is throw five ingredients in a blender to serve up some vibrant, purply-blue smoothie goodness.
Wild Blueberry, Cranberry and Almond Oatmeal: Oatmeal is a super healthy breakfast option for your child–especially when you add some wild blueberries into the mix. Spice up your morning oatmeal and add some color to your child’s diet by trying this Wild Blueberry, Cranberry and Almond Oatmeal. Jenny’s kids love adding wild blueberries to their oatmeal because it turns purple! Win-win: nutrients and a fun color
When it comes to packing school lunches, Jenny provides her kids with a balanced menu that includes protein, healthy fats, and whole grains. While she acknowledges that school cafeterias might not always offer ideal choices, she encourages parents to supplement where they can throughout their child’s day.
“I do a little bit of meal planning, but I don’t go crazy over it. It’s just kind of knowing what they need, making sure they have protein, some healthy fats, and whole grains at every meal, then they’ll be set,” Jenny assured. “I also try to sprinkle in some fruits and vegetables wherever I can. We always have a healthy breakfast, and whether I pack their school lunch or they buy school lunch, we always try to go heavier on the veggies at dinnertime—especially on days when they’ve bought school lunch, and might not have made the best choices.”
Jenny’s approach to school lunches encourages providing nutrient-rich alternatives that keep kids engaged and nourished throughout the day. She recognizes the value of variety and adaptability, ensuring her kids have options that resonate with their changing preferences. Seeking some home lunch inspiration? Try these wild blueberry recipes and surprise your child with something new and tasty.
Snacking Smartly
When it comes to snacking, Jenny ensures her kids are getting their nutrients while still enjoying the process through fun and engaging options. After-school snacks are a great way to supplement any valuable nutrients that were missed during the day. Her kids’ go-tos are sliced carrots with hummus, or other easy-to-eat veggies.
“If they’re coming home from school, I’ll offer them sliced carrots and hummus or celery and hummus, some veggie that I know that they can just kind of mindlessly eat and will enjoy snacking on,” Jenny shared. “Another one is Ants on a Log—a celery stick with peanut butter and wild blueberries, which is a fan favorite in my house, or cucumber boats with hummus and sunflower seeds.”
3 Habits to Incorporate into Your Weekly Routine
To lay the foundation for a successful week, Jenny has three invaluable tips that she lives by to guarantee her family is prepared for the week ahead. By integrating these methods into your own routine, you’re setting the stage for a week of balanced and delicious meals that contribute to your childs’ well-being and success in school.
Weekend Meal Prep. Jenny’s found that a little planning goes a long way. “While I don’t adhere to the traditional Sunday meal planning routine, I do spend some time mentally mapping out what we’ll be eating from Monday to Friday. I focus on what needs to be stocked in the fridge and what dinner ideas we have in mind.” As part of her weekend routine, Jenny also sets aside time to do some fruit and veggie prep. “Carrots are a staple in our household, and we go through plenty of them during the week. I make sure to wash grapes and any other fruits that can be prepared ahead of time. I also dedicate a portion of my Sunday to preparing a big batch of lentils or cooking up whole grains. The prep doesn’t take up too much time, usually around half an hour, but it sets the tone for the rest of the week,” Jenny explained.
Clean Kitchen Space. Starting the day with a clean kitchen can make a world of difference! Each night, Jenny makes sure to tidy up the kitchen, clean the table, and run the dishwasher. She even sets up the coffee maker for a seamless morning routine. “This way, we wake up every day to a clean slate and an organized space that eases the morning rush. There’s something about having a clean slate that makes getting breakfast and lunches ready feel less overwhelming,” Jenny shared. Having everything in order helps streamline her and her family’s mornings, ensuring that everyone is set for a successful day of learning.
Utilizing Frozen Fruits & Veggies. As a mom who values efficiency, Jenny’s come to rely on frozen fruits and vegetables to enhance her kids’ back-to-school meals. “One staple in our freezer is a three-pound bag of wild blueberries. I always make sure we have one in the house, with an extra backup in the garage freezer. Not only do frozen fruits retain their nutritional value, but they’re also incredibly versatile,” Jenny explained. During busy school nights when time is limited, having a stash of frozen veggies and whole grains on hand can be a game-changer. It allows for quick and easy access to nutritious ingredients, ensuring that even on the most hectic evenings, Jenny and her kids are still nourishing their bodies and minds with the goodness they need.
Looking Ahead to the 2023-24 School Year
As we kick off the start of another school year, we hope you find some of these fantastic nutrition tips from our very own mom dietitian helpful, and that your kids are all set for an amazing year ahead!
Looking for more insights from Jenny? Visit her website or follow her on Instagram. She also has a new cookbook called Coastal Kitchen which features delightful wild blueberry recipes, along with some incredible seafood recipes.
Wild blueberries are known for their incredibly delicious flavor, making them the perfect addition to any dish or drink. Hayley Wilson, mixologist and the Events Coordinator at the Portland Hunt + Alpine Club located in Portland, Maine, has been using Maine’s iconic berry in her handcrafted cocktails for years. We sat down with Hayley to ask her how she harnesses the powerful flavor of Maine’s berry to create incredible cocktails and mocktails for her guests.
Meet Hayley Wilson, Portland-based Bartender
With a background that spans over a decade in the hospitality industry, Hayley joined Portland Hunt + Alpine Club in 2019, where she’s flourished for the past five years. Inspired by her deep connection to music and her love for community, she believes that cocktails should reflect the atmosphere they are enjoyed in. Her innovative style and commitment to using fresh, locally-sourced ingredients have earned her and the Portland Hunt + Alpine Club a special place in the hearts of Portlanders and beyond. Mashed recently named Portland Hunt + Alpine to its list of 25 Best Cocktail Bars in the US.
One ingredient Hayley adores is Maine’s wild blueberries because they bring a bold, sweet and tangy flavor that adds a perfect punch to her cocktails. Their vibrant purple hue also adds an aesthetic appeal to drinks. With wild blueberries, Hayley can carefully control the drink’s sugar content, utilizing the berries as a citrus substitute. They shine through, allowing for a unique and unforgettable drinking experience.
To give you a taste, we worked with Hayley to craft four vibrant wild blueberry-based cocktail and mocktail drinks that can easily be replicated at home.
The Taste of Maine Wild Blueberry Mocktails & Cocktails
Wild Blueberry Mocktails
Wild Blueberry Zinger
Taste the tantalizing combination of tangy lime, sweet wild blueberry syrup, and warming ginger with this Wild Blueberry Zinger mocktail. This drink is the perfect choice for a refreshing and invigorating beverage, whether you’re out in the hot sun or chilling in the cool AC. Enjoy this delightful creation and savor the vibrant flavors with every sip!
Tropical Smash
Indulge in the tropical flavors of the Tropical Smash mocktail, a citrus style sipper that’s as refreshing as it is delightful. This drink is sparkling with bubbly goodness, and makes you want to sit back, relax, and savor the flavorful blend of pineapple, lemon, and wild blueberries.
Wild Blueberry Cocktails
Maine Royale
The perfect blend of wild blueberry sweetness, peach complexity, and a hint of salt, the Maine Royale has a delightful punch to it. Whether you’re hosting a special gathering or seeking a moment of indulgence, this cocktail is sure to impress. For convenience, the Maine Royale cocktail can be easily prepared for a crowd or enjoyed on the go. Simply grab a 4-pack of sparkling wine cans and assemble the recipe directly in the can if you prefer.
Wild Blueberry Smash
This robust Wild Blueberry Smash cocktail combines the richness of bourbon with the vibrant flavors of fresh lemon, wild blueberries and mint. It’s a perfect choice for cocktail enthusiasts who appreciate a balance of bold flavors.
Bartender Tips
Hayley’s pro tip for crafting these delightful concoctions—never walk away from the stove while making the wild blueberry syrup—she once found herself with a thick blueberry jam. Make sure to trust your gut and taste test as you go!
Visit Portland Hunt + Alpine Club
At the Portland Hunt + Alpine Club, the brainchild of founders, Andrew and Briana Volk, is deeply intertwined with the city itself. As one of the first craft cocktail bars in Portland, they have significantly contributed to shaping the city’s renowned food and beverage landscape. Celebrating their 10th anniversary this year, the duo is revising their cocktail menu monthly to bring back beloved classics that have delighted customers over the years.
Andrew and Briana’s dedication to using local ingredients mirrors the abundance of fresh produce found in Maine. Their commitment to quality and creativity has garnered national recognition, with the establishment being a two-time James Beard award semifinalist for Outstanding Bar Program.
If you ever find yourself in Portland, ME, a visit to the Hunt + Alpine Club is a must. The establishment will also be participating in Wild Blueberry Weekend on August 5th & 6th, and will be sharing one of these crafty recipes on their menu in honor of the occasion. Make sure to stop by and immerse yourself in the creative world of Hayley’s cocktails, where the vibrant flavors of wild blueberries intertwine with the city’s rich culinary heritage. Celebrate a decade of craftsmanship and innovation at this iconic establishment, where every sip tells a story and every cocktail is a masterpiece. Cheers!
Known for its breathtaking natural beauty and abundance of charming small towns, Maine is a wondrous place that offers many bountiful gifts to its seasonal visitors – like the place-based superfood, wild blueberries, that grow and spread naturally in the Midcoast and Downeast regions of Maine. Fields Fields Blueberries, a family-owned organic wild blueberry farm, has operated on the hills of Dresden, Maine, since the early 1970s, and became certified organic in 2000. Over the last few years, Ashley Field has transformed this grower-only farm into a thriving commercial business.
We sat down with Ashley to learn more about her journey and the unique aspects and offerings of Fields Fields Blueberries.
A Surprising Path to Wild Fruit Farming
Ashley’s connection to agriculture runs deep, having grown up on an organic dairy farm in western Maine for the majority of her life. However, it was her husband Jesse’s family’s wild blueberry farm that captured her interest and imagination. Initially, the farm was managed as a hobby by Jesse’s father, with occasional harvests being sold to bigger processors. Sensing an opportunity, Ashley approached her husband’s family seven years ago with the idea of turning the farm into a commercial venture. With their blessing, she took the reins of Fields Fields Blueberries and turned the project into a true passion, fueled by her creative drive and the supportive wild blueberry community in Maine.
A Fields Family Affair
In any family business, everyone plays a role, and Fields Fields Blueberries is no exception. Since transforming the business, Ashley has handled the day-to-day operations including business management, value-added product creation, and marketing. During the seven-week harvest season, the entire family steps in to lend a helping hand. Ashley’s mother-in-law contributes by weeding the fields by hand, while her husband assists with more labor-intensive field tasks. Their children, especially her youngest son, Alakai, enjoys picking and savoring the wild blues every chance they get. Her oldest daughter, Stella, plays an active role in their food truck, which sells a delicious wild blueberry crisp, a specialty recipe created by Ashley’s mother-in-law.
A Perfect Fit for Ashley’s Lifestyle
While the business can be hard work, Ashley’s wild blueberry venture ticks all the boxes for her dream lifestyle. The great outdoors, hard physical activity, and the chance to channel her creative and social sides—all come together harmoniously on the farm. With the flexibility of intense work periods followed by blissful downtime, Ashley has found the ideal balance.
What surprised Ashley the most about her new venture? The size of the industry! Wild blueberries are a unique crop, thriving in only a few places, which has created an exclusively tight-knit community of farmers who know and support each other.
“The Maine industry is relatively small (only a total of 485 growers), which allows you to get to know everybody in the industry. I’m from a small town, so it’s wonderful to have that backbone of support in our community,” Ashley explained. “Every farming community has its share of characters, and getting to know them has been one of my favorite parts, and has made Maine truly feel like a big small town.”
Harvest Yield & Value-Added Products
Fields Fields Blueberries owns 10 acres and leases an additional 15 acres close to their property. On average, they harvest around 10,000 pounds of wild blueberries each year. For the industry as a whole, annual harvest yields vary from year to year but can be as high as 100 million pounds.
Despite dealing with recent challenges like drought and frost, Ashley remains resilient and compensates for any yield losses by purchasing from other organic wild blueberry farmers. With a new field in the works, their goal is to eventually double their harvest yield to 20,000 pounds annually.
Within 24 hours of harvest, Ashley flash freezes 100% of her harvest; 10% of that frozen crop is sold to various local businesses and customers through the farm’s website, while the other 90% is utilized as an ingredient throughout the year to make Ashley’s assortment of value-added wild blueberry products.
“For value-added products, we do the wild blueberry crisp chips and powder, and then we also harvest the blueberry leaves. We have a whole wild blueberry leaf tea line, and we also make a tincture with the tea. That part of our business is growing really fast, so that’s exciting,” Ashley shared. “The tea stuff is really starting to take off. It benefits us because it just gives us another source of income, and we’re taking from the same field, so it’s the same amount of work.”
Their dedication to sustainability is evident as the Fields use every part of the blueberry plant to create their roster of products.
Future Farm Goals
Through her unwavering commitment to organic farming and value-added products, Ashley has turned her family’s farm into a thriving business. Her vision and five-year plan is to introduce the farm’s wild blueberry crisp to grocery stores as a frozen dessert so that consumers can bring a taste of the farm home.
Fields Fields Blueberries continues to foster connections with its community while looking towards future growth and success. Ashley dreams of passing the torch to the younger generation one day, but for now the farm waits patiently, ready to embrace the kids whenever the time is right.
Fields Fields Blueberries is committed to engaging with its local community, and plans to open its doors to the public for Maine’s third annual Wild Blueberry Weekend. Last year, the farm had over 1,000 visitors and Ashley’s goal is to double that visitor rate in 2024. To do that, she’s added a pancake breakfast each day of the weekend that will go from 9 to 11 AM.
Wild Blueberry Weekend is set for the weekend of August 3 – 4, 2024, and will take place across the state at a variety of wild blueberry farms, breweries, restaurants, and more. In addition to the pancake breakfast, Fields Fields Blueberries has a wonderful weekend planned for visitors to the farm, including live music, farm and apiary tours, and dozens of local vendors selling their creations. Here’s what you’ll find at Fields Fields Blueberries for the third annual Wild Blueberry Weekend:
Wild blueberries for purchase (fresh or frozen)
Food trucks
Value-added wild blueberry products
Live music
Hikes through the property
Storytime for kids – Blueberries for Sal
A premiere showing of the documentary film ‘Growing Wild’
To learn more about Fields Fields Blueberries and the Maine wild blueberry industry, make sure to pay them a visit on Wild Blueberry Weekend. If Dresden isn’t located in your neck of the woods, you can explore 15 other farms located throughout the state.
Nestled amidst the picturesque landscapes of Central and Downeast Maine, where the salty ocean breeze mingles with the sweet scent of wild blueberries, lies Brodis Blueberries, a ninth-generation, family-owned wild blueberry farm that’s rooted their legacy in stewarding the iconic crop for just over two centuries. Ron Howard, one of the farm’s main caretakers, resides on the property with his wife, Sonja, as well as varying family members who play a large role in yearly harvesting and farm operations.
Brodis Farm Family Heritage
Brodis Blueberries, once a cluster of thirteen small farms located in Hope, Maine, is today 170 consolidated acres specializing in Maine’s wild blueberries. Ron joined the seventh generation of the Brodis family 47 years ago, and since then has had the pleasure of assisting with this wild venture and all that it entails. For 30 years, Ron and his wife worked in careers outside of farming, but after the passing of his father-in-law seven years ago, they found themselves returning to their farm roots. At that time, Ron took charge of the field operations, learning and working alongside his mother-in-law and farm owner, Gwen Brodis. Today, the Howards are joined by Sonja’s sister, their son, daughter, niece and nephew – the eighth generation – and their grandchildren and cousins – the ninth generation – all of whom work tirelessly to ensure the farm’s success, “because here at Brodis Blueberries, it’s all hands on deck year-round,” notes Ron.
“Last year, in 2023, for the three weeks or so that we were open, we had 15 different family members actively working the farm,” Ron explained. “The roles range from harvesting and packing to sales. There were four generations working side by side which is not only very special, but in our case, essential for getting the job done in such a short window of time. We’re very, very, very fortunate,” he concluded.
Nurturing the Next Generation and Beyond
Ron and his family have a deep sense of pride in the farm and all the history it holds, and they hope to keep it running successfully for the next generation. Ron’s goal is to better the farm’s operations and create a sustainable business model that will support future generations for years to come. Having been raised on an agricultural farm in his youth, Ron recognizes the challenges of relying solely on wild blueberry farming for a livelihood. He has diversified his business model, opening a farm store that sells jams, sauces and pies year-round to ensure the farm’s longevity.
New *Wild* Business Ventures for the Whole Family
While a lot of the family is hands-on only during harvest season, there’s still a handful of family members who remain highly involved during the off-season. Ron’s son, Jeremy Howard, is one of them. Five years ago, Jeremy and a friend started Blue Barren Distillery & Restaurant, and began crafting spirits from the farm’s wild blueberries.
According to Ron, “The very first product was a 100% wild blueberry non-barrel aged brandy. Since then, they’ve created a number of new products including a few wild blueberry spirits, and a myrteau that tastes similar to a port – but it’s wild blueberry. Those are their core product offerings which link them back to the farm. What Jeremy and his friend are doing also helps to tell the story of the wild blueberry and of our farm, for us and for them.”
Ron’s mother-in-law, Gwen Brodis, is also active year-round, handcrafting all of the farm’s flavorful wild blueberry jams. Ron’s wife also bakes the delicious pies, desserts and sauces that are served at their son’s Blue Barren restaurant, located on the harbor in Camden, Maine.
Harvest Season and Sales
Spanning 170 total acres, Brodis Blueberries’ annual harvest yield can vary – from 100,000 to 200,000 pounds. The size of the crop depends on the state’s weather conditions and fragile pollination process. While a significant portion of the harvest is sold to Wyman’s of Maine for wholesale freezing, the farm actively seeks alternative sales channels to diversify their income.
These channels include partnerships with sparkling wild blueberry wine producers, vinegar makers, distilleries, and local kitchens and bakeries. By expanding its customer base and freezing a portion of the farm’s harvest, Brodis Blueberries ensures year-round availability of its berries and supports the creation of local Maine value-added products.
Brodis Blueberries has established quite the name for themselves in recent years, especially as a family-managed business. They were named the 2023 Maine and New England Jeffrey Butland Family Owned Business of the Year, by the Small Business Administration, due to their “incredible history of the business, and the significant efforts to ensure the continued success of the business.” A family business is defined as one in which one owner either shares ownership or works in the business with at least one other family member (contemporaneously or over time) and has a commitment to the continuation of the enterprise. All family-owned businesses in Maine were eligible for consideration.
A Wild Blueberry Lesson & Farm Goals
Beyond their exceptional taste and nutritional value, wild blueberries carry a remarkable story – one that Ron shares with anyone and everyone who is willing to listen. He is committed to spreading the special message of what Maine wild blueberries are all about.
“I think for me, the most important thing is to just get more people out on the farm, to get them to experience the barrens and the berries,” Ron explained. “When they can see and taste the difference for themselves, that’s what converts them to a wild blueberry lover. That’s what we need to do for the future of the industry, to make sure people understand and appreciate Maine’s wild blueberries.”
“These wild fruits exist where nature intended them to be, and have been growing in the Maine landscape since the end of the ice age. With hundreds of genetically unique plants thriving together, wild blueberries exemplify nature’s ability to adapt and coexist harmoniously,” noted Ron.
“They’re magnificent,” Ron exclaimed. “There may be a hundred different plants in a field, and every one of those blueberries is a little bit different in color and a little bit different in taste – almost like snowflakes, every single one is a little bit different and unique in its own way. So when you eat wild blueberries, you know you’re getting that abundance of variety.”
One way the family is helping to spread the wild message is through Maine’s annual Wild Blueberry Weekend – now in its fourth year –- which is dedicated to celebrating all the goodness these little blue gems have to offer.
The event is set for the weekend of August 3 – 4, 2024, and will take place across the state at a variety of wild blueberry farms, breweries, restaurants, and more. Brodis Blueberries has a great weekend planned for visitors to the farm, full of fun family-oriented activities, food trucks, local vendors and even a hike through the property with breathtaking views. Here’s what you’ll find at Brodis Blueberries for the third annual Wild Blueberry Weekend:
June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Health Awareness Month, a good time to learn more about how we can help support our own brain health with lifestyle choices. Interestingly, the same lifestyle habits that can benefit our brains also help our hearts (read more on this connection here). These habits include things like being physically active, getting enough sleep and managing stress. And of course, eating a brain-healthy diet, including plenty of fruits and veggies, is always a top suggestion for helping to boost both cardiovascular and cognitive function.
What did the study show?
A study recently published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition adds to the growing body of research showing that consuming a moderate portion of wild blueberries daily can improve blood vessel function and some aspects of cognitive function. In the randomized, placebo-controlled clinical study, called BluFlow, 61 healthy adults aged 65 to 81 were divided into two groups: one group consumed a beverage made with wild blueberry powder (equal to about ¾ cup of berries) for 12 weeks, while the other group consumed a well-matched placebo beverage. Those participants who received the wild blueberry beverage showed improvements in certain aspects of vascular function, including:
A significant increase in flow-mediated dilation
A decrease in systolic blood pressure
They also demonstrated significantly better performance than the placebo group on two measures of cognition:
Improved accuracy and quicker reaction time in an executive function test
Improved episodic memory in a word recall test
Cognitive and vascular improvements from consuming wild blueberries have been demonstrated in multiple studies previously with participants who were under physiological
stresses such as high blood pressure, metabolic syndrome and cognitive decline. Yet, the fact that these benefits were shown in a healthy group of participants is particularly encouraging because it’s typically more challenging to show improvements in a population that’s already healthy. Also, it suggests that a broader population may also experience cognitive and vascular benefits from eating wild blueberries daily—that’s good news for healthy adults and wild blueberry lovers alike!
Is blue the clue to the benefits?
Wild blueberries are especially rich in anthocyanins, the flavonoid pigments that give the tiny berries their purple-blue color. In fact, wild blueberries have 33% more of these pigments than regular blueberries. What’s so special about these pigments? They have potent antioxidant capacity and anti-inflammatory effects, making them powerful allies in the fight against chronic disease.
According to Dr. Ana Rodriguez-Mateos, one of the Blu-Flow study’s authors and an Associate Professor in Nutrition at the Department of Nutritional Sciences of King’s College London, the pigments may be the key to the positive cardiovascular and cognitive effects shown in the study. “We think the effects are driven by the blue pigments in the berries, the anthocyanins,” said Rodriguez-Mateos. “It’s clear from this study that consuming wild blueberries is beneficial to cognitive function, as well as vascular health. This is consistent with what we already know about the health benefits of anthocyanin-rich foods,” adds co-author Professor Claire Williams, Chair of Neuroscience in the School of Psychology & Clinical Language Sciences at the University of Reading.
Looking ahead to the next Blu study
Another study from the Rodriguez-Mateos and Williams teams is on the horizon. This one will also feature wild blueberries, and will further investigate their vascular and cognitive effects on participants from age groups across the lifespan. Stay tuned!
Ah, summer in Maine . . . that incredible time of year we all wait for is just around the corner! With summer comes the opportunity to enjoy fun outings and excursions with family and friends. If you’re looking for a new event to add to your summer fun list, we’ve got something wild to share with you: The fourth annual Wild Blueberry Weekend is set for August 3-4, 2024. The Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine has organized this two-day, multi-location event to engage locals and visitors in celebrating Maine’s native berry and the local farms and businesses that propel this iconic Maine industry forward.
Attendees will be able to explore 18 different wild blueberry farms located in Lincoln, Kennebec, Knox, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Waldo, and Washington Counties for free. Some farms plan to open their doors to the public simply to sell delicious fresh wild blueberries directly to consumers, while others will host a wide range of farm activities and tours.
Additionally, dozens of Maine businesses are gearing up to serve special food and beverages made with wild blueberries throughout the weekend.
Everyone can find a wild activity they’re sure to enjoy. Rake fresh wild blues by hand in a brilliantly blue field, sip thirst-quenching cocktails by the water at sunset, or sink your teeth into mouth watering dishes crafted by Maine-based bakers and chefs. Whatever you choose to do is entirely up to you, but make sure to squeeze every wild blueberry-related activity into your itinerary! For a full list of the participating local wild blueberry farms and businesses (and the incredible activities they have planned), visit www.wildblueberryweekend.com.
Explore the Best of Maine’s Wild Places
“Maine’s wild blueberry farms are family traditions that often go back six, seven, or even eight generations…” said Eric Venturini, Executive Director of the Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine, “…and Wild Blueberry Weekend is the opportunity to celebrate this tradition with the dedicated, hard-working farmers who harvest this special Maine berry. The weekend provides a unique opportunity for the public to learn more about the industry that is so important to our state and nation.” This year, Governor Janet Mills even honored the event by officially proclaiming the first weekend of August 2024, as the fourth annual Wild Blueberry Weekend.
Native to our Northeastern state, wild blueberries have been prospering in the barrens of Maine for over 10,000 years, and unlike ordinary blueberries, wild blueberries are completely untouched and unaltered by man. They are one of three native North American fruits, and for over a hundred years, Maine’s multigenerational family-owned farms have passed their land down through the years, giving each generation the opportunity to sustainably steward their portion of the crop. In total, Maine’s 512 wild blueberry farmers produce 100% of all wild blueberries grown in the United States. Maine is the only state in the U.S. with significant commercial production of this wild crop.
Plan Your Family’s Wild Blueberry Weekend Itinerary
If you’re planning on heading to Maine this August or are lucky to live in our neck of the woods, make sure to map out your family’s weekend itinerary. You can do so by browsing through the Wild Blueberry Weekend map which highlights the many participating businesses, as well as the 18 participating wild blueberry farms located throughout the state.
If you decide to join the fun and participate in Wild Blueberry Weekend, make sure to tag us using #WildBlueberryWeekend, and follow along with @wildblueberries on Instagram and Facebook.
To learn more about Wild Blueberry Weekend, visit www.wildblueberryweekend.com. If you’re curious about the health benefits, origin, and ways to enjoy wild blueberries, visit www.wildblueberries.com for research, recipes, and more.
In a recently published pilot study where male participants consumed the powder equivalent of about one cup of wild blueberries daily for two weeks, it was found that their fat oxidation rates improved during a period of moderate-intensity cycling (1). Fat oxidation (FAT-ox) is the rate at which fatty acids are broken down and converted into energy for the body, which is an important part of the body’s metabolic energy systems. This study is one of the first to explore exactly how wild blueberries elicit greater fat oxidation rates and can support a healthy and active lifestyle.
“This pilot study indicates that consuming wild blueberries daily can help increase the rate at which we can burn fat during moderate-intensity exercise,” explained Taylor Bloedon, PhD, RD, CSSD and Associate Professor at CalPoly Humboldt University.
“The men in our study consumed a freeze-dried powder equivalent to about 1 cup wild blueberries—a very achievable amount for consumers. And the fact that the men in our study were not elite athletes or even trained cyclists, means the results are highly likely transferable to the average exercise enthusiast or recreational athlete.”
Why Wild Blueberries?
“Having studied in Maine, I’m very familiar with wild blueberries and their nutritional components. We specifically chose wild blueberries for this study because they have a higher anthocyanin content than ordinary blueberries,” explained Bloedon.
While wild blueberries tend to stand out from other blueberries due to their flavor intensity, small size, and deep blue color, they’re also packed with superior nutritional benefits. Specifically, wild blueberries contain 33% more heart-healthy anthocyanins when compared to their cultivated high-bush cousins. Wild blueberries grow in harsh environmental conditions, which contributes to their dense and diverse phytochemical profile. Wild blueberry phytochemicals have been found to have a wide variety of health benefits, including improving cardiovascular health, supporting cognitive function, and more.
“There have been a number of research studies that indicate beneficial impacts of wild blueberry consumption for elite athletes, but this study shows there are potential benefits for everyday exercisers as well,” says Kitty Broihier, MS, RD, LD, the nutrition advisor for the Wild Blueberry Association of North America. “Wild blueberries are packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber and health-supporting bioactive components. Knowing that these little berries can also impact how efficiently our bodies burn fat gives consumers yet another reason to get their daily scoop of wild blueberries.”
Doors Open to Further Explore Effects of WBs on FAT-ox & Exercise
Based on the positive results of the pilot study, Dr. Bloedon began an expanded project in collaboration with other CalPoly researchers. She and her team will be further examining the effects of wild blueberries on fat oxidation and exercise. The project aims to measure substrate oxidation in men and women following four weeks of wild blueberry consumption.
Bloedon added, “I’m looking forward to the results of our current, larger trial where we are investigating the effects of wild blueberry supplementation on fat oxidation during exercise in both men and women at higher exercise intensities.”
Source
“Effects of Wild Blueberries on Fat Oxidation Rates in Aerobically Trained Males”
