Local and delicious

By Published by The Editorial Board

Published: May 15, 2008

This year’s strawberry crop, if appearance and taste are any indication, is the best in years for this part of the state. The berries—bright red and juicy—are setting a high precedent for our other crops, among them blueberries, melons and apples.
But the weather so far has cooperated this spring, and by all indications, it appears 2008 will be a good year for local produce. That wasn’t the case last year.
A strong cold front moved through the state in early April, leading to a late frost. The subfreezing temperatures resulted in nearly $12 million in crop losses for North Carolina, a state news release said. Nursery crops suffered the highest losses—$57.9 million. Fruits and vegetables, including apples, peaches and various berries, suffered estimated losses of $26.5 million.
Then there’s that lingering drought, which persisted throughout last year. The recent rains in northwest North Carolina are lessening the effect, though we remain under a moderate drought, according to the state climate office. Seventeen counties in southwest North Carolina remain under a severe drought, and residents of Rockingham County must continue to conserve water.
Nevertheless, the spring weather has brought sufficient rain and sunshine to produce a beautiful strawberry crop.
“This is a good year for them,” Caroline Lineberry told us. She is a co-owner of D.L. Tuttle’s Strawberry & Vegetable Farm. “They’re producing good and there’s still a lot of blooms, too.”
At the Tuckers’ farm outside Madison, strawberry pickers had little trouble finding enough of the crop to fill several large baskets, probably leading to crowded freezers throughout Rockingham and Guilford counties. We are fortunate to have access to fresh produce, and we should take advantage of it. We must support our local farmers, as every dollar spent in Rockingham County stays here and grows here.
The idea of buying local is gaining momentum. Some people in other parts of the country see the idea as trendy and fashionable – the “in” thing to do. We see it, quite simply, as smart.
Oh yes, and delicious.