In 1916, a New Jersey farmer sold the first commercial crop of blueberries – today, they grow in the White House kitchen garden
Folsom, Calif., July 1, 2015 – Today marks the start of National Blueberry Month and the beginning of a 12-month celebration commemorating the first commercial crop of blueberries in the U.S. Nearly a century ago, the pioneering efforts of Elizabeth White and Frederick Coville culminated as the blueberries we know and love today were first available for purchase from highbush blueberry fields in Whitesbog, N.J. Blueberries are one of just a few fruits native to the U.S.
To kick off the celebration, blueberries will be popping up on corporate menus nationwide in July, making appearances at employee cafeterias for companies including major banking institutions, media giants, national museums and government agencies. Iconic locations include Harvard University, the U.S. Senate, the Guggenheim and Kennedy Center, and the Smithsonian Museum of American History.
The perfect place to celebrate an American star fruit, the nation’s capital will be home to many centennial festivities in July. Already a staple in the White House kitchen garden, blueberries can be spotted this month on the menus of some of D.C.’s favorite food trucks, including Curbside Cupcakes, Ball or Nothing and Red Hook Lobster Pound. The United States Department of Agriculture also will feature the berry at the USDA Farmers Market and People’s Garden. All Washington, D.C., festivities can be found here.
Consumers around the world can join in the centennial festivities online by following #100YearsofGrowin and by participating in a month-long photo contest on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, accompanied by the hashtag #HappyBdayBlueberries. Winners will be selected each week in July to receive blueberry-themed prizes, and there will be one grand prize winner announced in early August. For more information on the 100th birthday and centennial kickoff activities, check out the history of blueberries or 7 Ways You Can Celebrate the Blueberry’s 100th Birthday.
In celebrating this historic milestone, the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council hopes to inspire 100 more years of enjoyment in eating well by educating consumers about the little changes they can make to achieve healthier lifestyles and encouraging a spirit of creativity in kitchens across the globe.
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About the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council
The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council is an agriculture promotion group, representing blueberry growers and packers in North and South America who market their blueberries in the United States, and works to promote the growth and well-being of the entire blueberry industry. The blueberry industry is committed to providing blueberries that are grown, harvested, packed and shipped in clean, safe environments. Learn more at littlebluedynamos.com.
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