Pick and Play Strawberry Social!

Pick Your Own Strawberries! Invite your friends and share strawberry treats recipes and tips

We wait all year for the juicy berry goodness full of the best nutrients and  picking strawberries is fun for the entire family.

All farms are easy to locate at www.berryfarms.org

Strawberry Picking Tips:

• Go early, especially on the weekend; a large turnout can pick the field clean.
• Most growers offer containers, at a small cost, to collect your berries. If you use your own containers, be sure that they are not too deep; you do not want to bruise your berries
• Bring something to drink and a few snacks; you'd be surprised how you can work up a thirst and appetite! And don't forget hats and sunscreen.
• To pick, gently hold the stem between thumb and forefinger. Carefully pinch and break the stem to release the berry without squeezing the berry itself.

Storing and Preparing

• Remove any damaged berries as soon as possible. Trim damaged areas and use in sauces, ice creams or in baking where appearance doesn't matter.
• Store berries in the refrigerator with hulls intact, unwashed, and lightly covered in a single layer. Use within three to six days.
• Just before serving, gently rinse under cold running water (avoid soaking because the strawberries will absorb water and lose flavour), gently pat dry with paper towels, and hull.
• Hull and freeze your Ontario Strawberries for a divine treat after the season!

Three easy strawberry recipes

• Freeze your strawberries and use instead of ice cubes!
• Fill a glass vase full of local berries. Place a bowl of freshly whipped cream or melted chocolate beside you and you will be the star of the party!
• Blend fresh strawberries into your lemonade
• Grill your Ontario strawberries 
• More great recipes such as Strawberry Eton Mess parfait can be found at  www.Foodthought.com
• IF you can’t make it to the fields, the berries will be available at your local roadside fruit stands and if you don’t have time to organize a Strawberry Social, look for one in your community!