Source:   NCDA&CS, 6/10/11

The State Farmers Market celebrates the importance of North Carolina’s blueberry industry with its annual Blueberry Day Thursday. During the event, visitors can enjoy free blueberry samples, pickup delicious blueberry recipes and savor fresh blueberry desserts provided by the State Farmers Market Restaurant. North Carolina’s blueberry season runs through July, and shoppers can find berries at local farmers markets, stores and pick your-own farms.

Thursday, June 16
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Farmers Building
State Farmers Market
1201 Agriculture St.
Interstate 40, exit 297, Lake Wheeler Road

Blueberry Day is sponsored by the N.C. Blueberry Council, the State Farmers Market and the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

North Carolina is the nation’s sixth-largest blueberry producer, with the blueberry industry contributing more than $51 million to North Carolina’s economy in 2009.  Two varieties of blueberries are grown in North Carolina, and most production occurs in the southeastern part of the state.  Bladen, Pender, Sampson, Duplin and Columbus counties are the top five producers. Blueberries have many health benefits and contain higher levels of antioxidants than most other fruits and vegetables.