The Heart of Blueberries

2/15/2019

The blueberry industry is a ton of hard work, and a ton of joyful rewards. Michigan blueberries are shipped to the far corners, dressing home’s tables daily in pancakes, smoothies, pies, muffins, strudels, sauces, brats, salads, with cream, or by the bowlful. They bring health and wellness, joy and flavor. What would we be without these soulful little blues?

While the crop was not it’s normal high numbers last year, we are not worried. These things happen, and the families that have been farming berries for ages know that sometime you hit a bad year. We partner with many of these families to celebrate their livelihood and our favorite food - blueberries. We are touched by their stories of resilience as they continue to create amazing fruit, farms, and fun. (See our Agritourism Page to connect with these amazing growers, or our MBG Marketing post to hear about this exciting hub of the industry! )

We would like to highlight two farms that have been producing berries for decades and have stood behind the National Blueberry Festival for just as long - True Blue Farms, & DeGrandchamp Farms!

No doubt that their names are no stranger to you if you ever come to South Haven to pick your own berries (which you should all do on our Farm Day August 8th). These two farms are family run, and have been for years. DeGrandchamp Farms just celebrated their 60th this past year, with lots of specials, and commemorative tshirts! True Blue Farms started in 1993, though the first family blueberry crop was bought in 1900s by the grandparents. When they moved up from Chicago and bought acres of blueberries with borrowed cash, they started a journey that would lead to great creativity and new efficiency that would change the industry for the better.

We at the festival know that these two farms have our back 100%. Their services and efforts in the industry show that the wellness of blueberry production is at the heart of their mission. And their ongoing support of the festival shows that sharing the joy of the industry with outsiders like us, is also at their heart. True Blue Farm’s berries can be found in all of the festival’s pies. From the opening night’s popular Pie & Ice Cream Social, to our Signature Event - Pie Eating Contest. True Blue Farms also gives toward our office space, and is already ready for “Whatever you need.” DeGrandchamp Farm’s sponsors the classic tradition of our Saturday morning parade! They support our volunteers and sponsors by hosting our fall celebration and thank you - The Fall Harvest Party! Their berries are found in the special treat of free ice cream sundaes on Sunday! In addition to all their busy schedules, they both serve on our board of directors to guide our festival into becoming the best that we can be!

We want to say a massive thank you to True Blue Farms and DeGrandchamp Farms for all they do for us! Check them out this summer!