When choosing strawberries, look for those that are dry, firm, and have a uniform red color. Strawberries should be bright, clean and a fresh appearance. Choosing just the right strawberries will ensure your enjoyment of mature, flavorful berries with minimum waste and maximum flavor and food value.

Your best bet for finding ready to pick strawberries is to visit a U-Pick strawberry farm near you.  To help you in this endeavor, Michigan Farm Bureau and the Michigan Farm Marketing & Agri-Tourism Association have published the Michigan Farm Market & Agricultural Tourism Directory - a guide to farm markets, u-pick operations and ag tourism destinations throughout the state.

Tips for picking strawberries:

• Grasp the stem just above the berry between the forefinger and the thumbnail and pull with a slight twisting motion.
• With the stem broken about one-half inch from the berry, allow it to roll into the palm of your hand.
• Repeat these operations using both hands until each holds 3 or 4 berries
• Carefully place - don't throw - the fruit into your containers. Repeat the picking process with both hands.
• Don't overfill your containers or try to pack the berries down.

Strawberries are not the only produce items that are found on "u-pick" operations. Across Michigan, the following u-pick operations can be found: