I am Portlandish in my tendencies towards organified, green-happy, expensive-but-lovable food purchasing places: New Seasons, farmer’s markets, CSAs. But I was in a rush. Due in ten minutes at a friend’s, and I had promised to bring dessert.
I stopped by the Fred Meyer in Burlingame assuming that 1) Fred Meyer, despite the whole Kroger ownership thing, was a quasi-local establishment and b) the world hadn’t gone insane.
Nothing easier and more appreciated than a pint of strawberries, I thought, rushing into the produce section ready for some Oregon goodness. Except. Alas. Bereft. Alack.
Their selection was limited to the bloated, white-in-the-middle, watery and tasteless Mexican variety in plastic tubs.
Seriously? In Oregon? In June? Are they out of their minds?
Are there other produce travesties I should know about? Places I should just simply blacklist when looking for something that tastes good that doesn’t involve petroleum glazes? Maybe I’ve just become spoiled.
While I’m at it: where are the best places for U-Pick strawberries (and other summer fruits) around town? I usually head up to Sauvie’s Island, but are there other–possibly better–options?
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I’ll stand by Fred Meyers’ pink lady apples. They’re crisper and a dollar cheaper per pound than the ones you can find at New Seasons.
Not local, but not quite Mexican: a couple weeks ago, Costco had 6-lb tubs of California strawberries for 5.99. They were, for the most part, delicious.
I grew up near Sandy, Oregon, and there used to be lots of berry fields on Bluff Road, as well as in the Boring and Orient areas. It’s a bit of a drive, and since I haven’t been out there in quite a while, ‘progress’ may have driven them out. There were roadside stands where you could buy corn, cucumbers, jams and jellies, etc… Straight from the fields to your kitchen. Please tell me these places still exist!
Sauvies Island usually has some good choices. Also, today is Wednesday, so the downtown farmer’s market will have local berries along with the Intestate Farmer’s market up by Kaiser. Last week’s prices were around $3 a pint for Strawberries.
I grew up on Jenne Hill, across from Powell Butte. Up there where the McMansions now roam used to be huge strawberry fields. That was my summer employment until I was old enough to get a food handler’s card. I remember thinking 12c a lb was a good wage.
Amazingly, I found not only local, but ORGANIC, strawberries at Freddie’s (SE 60-ish & Glisan location) about six weeks ago. I was startled, and have not seen them since (probably because I don’t shop there all that much). Maybe it’s “we get local when we can then we provide the Mexican/California variety as filler?” Who knows.
Yes yes we were hoping to take our kids berry picking. From my summer job as a kid picking berries in the Green River Valley of King County Wa, I can tell you that late June is usually the tail-end of the season. Where are the local U-pick farms? It’s almost raspberry season already.
As a family member of a local farm, I can tell you that WE do have strawberries that are grown right here in Oregon. We are also at almost ALL the local farmers markets. You can also find our produce at New Seasons and Burgerville in your berry shakes!
We also have the berry stand out at the corner of Richey Road and Kelso Road in Boring.
As for u-pick, we, and many other farms, don’t do u-pick berries any more as liability insurance has gotten way to expensive.
So, just come on down to your local farmer’s market, and let us provide you with some local goodness.
http://www.liepoldfarms.com (undergoing a wordpress migration)
I took my niece and nephews out to a farm in St. Paul called French Prairie Gardens. The strawberries were great and the kids had a ball!
@tinymeat – you can find U-Pick farms for the surrounding PDX area here at this site: http://www.pickyourown.org/
Thanks Betsy. As I mentioned before this will be the kids first berry picking venture. I can’t wait to see them both with a tummyache and covered in berry stains.
@Liepold Farms – I can vouch for Liepold Farms. I go through Boring, Or every once in a while and always stop in the summer to get whatever’s in season. Strawberries, blueberries, cherries. It’s a good stop and right on the most bike-friendly route to Estacada (such as it is)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/60961560@N00/2648957186/in/set-72157606046140467/
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