maine blueberries

I know I'm a little behind on this one, but bear with me please.  Up until a few years ago, I didn't realize blueberries sold in grocery stores are usually grown in a different way than those that grow wild in Maine.  When you only ever see blueberries growing on low to the ground shrubs, why would you think they might grow another way?  Maybe because I have never seen a wild blueberry grow so big?  Or because they taste a little different?  Because they're available in December?  My brain let me down and failed to make these distinctions.

Dan Neville/The New York Time

Dan's mom sent me an article in the New York Times about wild blueberries from Maine. It explains how Lynn Thurston works with farmers all over the state of Maine who grow wild blueberries.  She runs Blue Sky Produce, a business that buys the wild blueberries from these farmers and distributes them throughout the Northeast. It's a win-win situation: farmers are given an option of something to do with the blueberries other than just freeze them and people who might not otherwise be exposed to fresh Maine wild blueberries get the chance to enjoy the delectable treat.  What a great business concept!  Now if only they could find a way to get those berries to Kansas :)