By Mary Ellen Psaltis
A shelf in my freezer stands empty – waiting. My last smoothie with fresh frozen berries has been digested, but I am joyful it’s June and the weeks of anticipation are nearly over. Tiny green strawberries are beginning to blush, and Spooner’s Berry Farms are kicking into high gear.
Tim Spooner was raised on the family farm, which grew strawberry plants for commercial use. His brother still owns the farm in Puyallup, which grows berries and other crops like corn and pumpkins. Tim got married in 1980. Sue admired all the lovely strawberry plants and eventually wondered why they didn’t sell any of the berries.
The summer of 1984, Sue made a decision that changed their lives. She loaded up her little Jeep with freshly picked berries and sold them on the corner of College St. and Lacey Blvd. Word got out. Soon customers were waiting for her to arrive in the morning. The next season she put up the now nearly famous white stand making it easier to recognize. Spooner’s berries were getting popular.
Demand grew. More berries were picked and over time berry huts were placed around Thurston County. Now it’s hard to imagine summer without them. The local farmers no longer sell plants. Instead they grow over 200 acres of strawberries, raspberries, marionberries and blueberries. The varieties are selected on the basis of flavor.
You are certainly familiar with the often disappointing, grown out-of-state strawberries. They may be red on the outside, but glow white inside. Bred for their ability to withstand travel and extended shelf life, flavor is not their hallmark. Because Spooner’s varieties are selected for flavor, the sugar content is high. That’s why they are best eaten immediately. They are more fragile and begin to soften quickly. Putting them in the refrigerator will extend their lifespan. Leaving them in your hot car all day will not. Spooner’s does not treat their berries to prolong freshness after they have been picked.
Naturally ripened strawberries are meant to be picked and eaten promptly. According to Sue Spooner, that’s the only way. “Get them on the day you need them,” she emphasizes. Her instructions are to dispatch them ASAP – into your refrigerator, freezer, dehydrator or stomach. Since they pick every day of the season (7 days a week) you can literally get them fresh that day.
All berries picked are sold on the same day. “That’s my big thing. I don’t want people to be disappointed,” says Sue. The actual varieties shift as the season progresses as there are early and late bloomers. Maybe you have a favorite, but they are all sweet.
Sue Spooner’s berry season days are spent fielding hourly phone calls from all the stands to ensure there is availability for everyone. She’s also been tracking the weather for over 25 years. The goal is to sell out every berry every day. After the 3-4 (weather depending) weeks of strawberries, the season flows into raspberries, marionberries and blueberries. Stock up while you can.
If you have time on your hands and like to do your own picking, the U-Pick field on the Yelm Highway is just for you. Put your dent into a few rows of their 50 acres. There is a berry barn of ‘already picked’ if you and your pickers tire out too soon.
You can stop at the familiar stand in the parking lot of locally owned Ralph’s Thriftway. The Spooner’s and Stormans’ families work together for the benefit of the customer. Most grocery stores are not used to produce being brought in and sold out on the same day every day. For the most part, however, Spooner’s Berries are sold directly to the customer. Sue told me that the “whole goal is to sell people fresh berries at the best price.”
You will likely recognize the people who sell in the various locations. Many school employees move right into summer employment at Spooner’s stands. They have worked for the Spooner’s for years, like my son’s North Thurston Public Schools bus drivers can be counted as a long time employee.
Strawberries and the whole line of seasonal berries are a nutritionist’s dream. Easy, fresh, local, and sweet and packed with nutrients. Cooking is optional. Recipes can be found at their website. Sue assured me that she and Tim are having fun, and they like to sell nice fruit to people. Count me in as one of the eaters.
Eat Well – Be Well.
