August 6, 2008

On Thursday, August 7, 2008, Wal-Mart Corporation, Naturipe Farms LLC, and the Michigan Department of Agriculture’s “Select Michigan” program will be crafting the “World’s Largest Blueberry Display” featuring Michigan-grown blueberries as well as underscoring the economic impacts of purchasing locally grown and processed items.

The event will kick off a weekend long celebration of the mighty blueberry at the 45th Annual National Blueberry Festival in South Haven, which runs August 7-10.

Culinary Historian Priscilla Massie and Select Michigan staff will be preparing their famous Blueberry Abelskivers and other blueberry recipes as part of the celebration of the World's Largest Blueberry display. Local Naturipe Farms blueberry growers will also be on hand to celebrate this “All American Fruit” and the great support Wal-Mart’s gives to the local farmers.

Michigan produces over a third of all of the blueberries eaten in the U.S. In 2007, the state produced nearly 83 million pounds of this sweet, super fruit. Michigan blueberries are grown, harvested, and processed by over 600 family farms contributing nearly $140 million to the state’s economy.