Pick Blueberries Day

July 10 is Pick Blueberries Day. This berry is native to North America and is healthy, tasty, and nutritious. Today, the U.S. is the world’s largest producer of blueberries. Indigenous people traditionally call these berries “stars” because the blossom end of each blueberry forms a five-pointed star shape.

History

Pick Blueberries Day is celebrated in early July when these berries are usually harvested. July 10 falls within National Blueberry Month, which was established by the North American Blueberry Council and officially recognized by the USDA in 2003. There are two main types of blueberries: lowbush (wild) and highbush. Lowbush varieties grow close to the ground, while highbush blueberries grow on taller, cultivated bushes.

Highbush blueberries became popular in countries like Sweden, Germany, and the Netherlands in the 1930s. In the U.S., northern highbush varieties are the most widely cultivated. Canada, meanwhile, leads in producing wild lowbush blueberries.

Originally gathered and consumed by Native Americans, blueberries are now a favorite ingredient in countless recipes and are also enjoyed fresh as a healthy snack.

Interesting Facts

• In the 17th century, Native Americans harvested wild blueberries and used them in traditional meals.
• Wild blueberries were domesticated in the early 1900s through the work of Dr. Frederick W. Coville and Elizabeth Coleman White.
• In 2012, the U.S. recorded a blueberry harvest of 564.4 million pounds—a national record.

How to Take Part

The best way to celebrate Pick Blueberries Day is to go out and pick fresh berries. If you grow blueberries at home, you can enjoy their harvest each year—just keep in mind they need the right balance of light and moisture. You can also buy fresh blueberries from your local grocery store or farmers market and use them to make smoothies, salads, yogurt parfaits, compote, cheesecake, or homemade blueberry pie.

When is Pick Blueberries Day in 2025?

Pick Blueberries Day is observed on July 10 each year.

Observations