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Blueberry Picking at Spring Valley Farms for a Good Cause

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What better way to stock up on blueberries than by picking them off the bush yourself one-by-one (or by the handful)? Blueberry season is coming to a close here in Florida, and I was invited to participate in a blueberry gleaning fundraiser at Spring Valley Farms this past weekend. Chuck and Vesna Allison, the owners of Spring Valley Farms, host an annual charity u-pick event that benefits the Redlands Christian Migrant Association (RCMA), which supports Florida’s agricultural community. My family has made it a yearly tradition to attend this event and I decided to join them for the fun this year!

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When we arrived at the event, Chuck and Vesna were there to greet everyone and I could tell that there were many people who are regular attendees of the yearly event. For a donation of $10 per gallon bucket, participants can head into the fields to pick their own blueberries, or for $20 a bucket, a field worker will pick them for you.

I asked Vesna how long it takes to fill the buckets and she said that for a field worker it takes 20 minutes, but for an average person, closer to an hour. I was glad I only got 2 buckets!

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Blueberry picking was an experience that exceeded my wildest expectations. Our strategy was to head away from the crowds towards rows of bushes that were less likely to be picked over. It was so serene as I walked up and down the rows of blueberry bushes searching for the big, juicy, bright blue berries to add to the growing pile in my buckets. It’s amazing how much better they taste plucked right off the bush! I couldn’t help but pop a few blueberries into my mouth as we were picking because they were just that good.

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Fun fact: Bees are used as an “insurance policy” to pollinate the blueberry bushes. This year, the farm rented 200 hives of honeybees and 64 hives of bumblebees to protect their produce. Why two kinds of bees? Bumblebees can fly faster and tolerate harsher weather, especially important in Florida.

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After a few hours of searching for the most perfect blueberries to fill my buckets, it was time to head back to get them packed and ready to take home. The Allisons also host a BBQ lunch for everyone who participates in the event for an additional donation, which of course, included homemade blueberry cobbler!

If you live in Central Florida and are looking for a fun activity to participate in with your friends or family, I highly recommend heading out to Spring Valley Farms for the annual blueberry gleaning charity event. It was such a fun experience and I will be back next year. It’s a great way to spend quality time with friends and family, an opportunity to meet new people and give back to the community, and you will drive home with the freshest blueberries one can find!

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Even if you don’t live in Central Florida, I encourage you to seek out a local farm to visit and learn more about the farming process and maybe even pick some of your own produce while you are there. There’s a reason why experts say to “eat local” – not only does it reduce your carbon footprint, but the produce tastes unbelievably fresh and will last longer when brought home.

So what am I going to do with all of my blueberries?

I have packed the berries in Ziploc bags and stored them in the freezer for smoothies, my morning oatmeal, and to be used in new recipes I create in the kitchen. Speaking of, I might just have a new blueberry recipe coming your way to the blog soon! Stay tuned!

About Spring Valley Farms

Spring Valley Farms, owned by Chuck and Vesna Allison, grow their blueberries for Wish Farms. Both farms partnered up a few years ago and built a blueberry-packing house on the property called Wish Valley LLC. Florida’s blueberry growers in the area deliver their fruit to Wish Valley where it is run through a packing line, cooled and shipped out to grocery stores, such as Publix, Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods.

About Redlands Christian Migrant Association (RCMA)

RMCA is a statewide organization that provides early education and quality childcare for children of migrant farm workers and rural, low-income families. All of the proceeds from the Spring Valley Farms charity u-pick event benefited RMCA and the agricultural community in Florida.

-Carly Paige

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42 Responses

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  2. Join the fun of blueberry picking at Spring Valley Farms! Not only will you enjoy nature, but your efforts will contribute to a good cause. Picture it like leveling up in geometry dash; each berry is a point earned for making a difference. Gather your friends and make memories while supporting the community!

  3. “Enjoy a delightful day of blueberry picking at Spring Valley Farms while supporting a good cause! Gather fresh fruit and create lasting memories with family and friends. Speaking of fun, don’t forget to take a break to play Funny Shooter 2 for a hilarious shooting game experience. Sweet berries and laughter await!”

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  5. I really enjoyed reading about your blueberry-picking trip at Spring Valley Farms — it sounds like such a peaceful and rewarding experience! The detail about renting bees for pollination was fascinating, and your idea to freeze the berries for smoothies and oatmeal is so practical.

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  6. Looks like a lovely outing — fresh air, fresh berries and a bit of outdoor fun. Blueberry picking is such a nice way to enjoy seasonal produce and spend quality time with friends or family. Thanks for sharing this!

  7. I love this post! The blueberry picking at Spring Valley Farms sounds like such a fun and meaningful experience, especially since it supports a good cause. The description of fresh, juicy berries straight from the bush really makes me want to visit next season and enjoy the serene fields with family or friends!

  8. Great post! It’s wonderful to see the joy and sense of community that comes from seasonal activities like blueberry picking. Holidays and simple outdoor experiences like this are such a nice way to connect with nature and with others. Thanks for sharing!

  9. Sounds like a blast, but $20 for a bucket? Ouch. I guess it’s all for a good cause, but I’d rather pick my own if I’m shelling out that kinda dough. Also, fresh blueberries are unbeatable, so totally worth the trip!

  10. This Spring Valley Farms blueberry picking charity event is the perfect blend of fun, family time, and giving back—what a wonderful community tradition! As someone who loves bonding with loved ones over meaningful activities, I adore that Chuck and Vesna Allison have created an annual fundraiser that benefits RCMA (supporting migrant farm workers’ kids with early education) while letting participants take home the freshest, juiciest blueberries straight from the bush. The $10 self-pick gallon bucket is such a great deal, and the option to have field workers pick for you ($20) is thoughtful for those short on time. The serene rows of bushes (away from the crowds!) and the surprise fun fact about the 200 honeybee hives + 64 bumblebee hives (smart for Florida’s tricky weather!) made the experience feel special and educational. Plus, the BBQ lunch with homemade blueberry cobbler? Cherry on top! If you’re in Central Florida, this is a must-do family activity—you’ll make memories, support a great cause, and leave with berries that taste infinitely better than store-bought.

  11. This lovely post shares a joyful blueberry-picking experience at Spring Valley Farms, supporting the RCMA charity. The annual u‑pick fundraiser brings families together while helping Florida’s agricultural community. Fresh, sun‑ripened berries, peaceful fields, a BBQ with homemade cobbler, and bee pollination facts make it heartwarming and informative. It’s a perfect example of fun, local, meaningful community activity.

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  13. Loved this blueberry picking guide by Carly! Spring Valley Farms sounds amazing—fresh berries plus a good cause? Total win-win. Can’t wait to plan my trip and support while enjoying nature’s sweet treats!

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Hi! I’m Carly Paige, a culinary nutrition expert and chef who believes that healthy doesn’t have to be frustrating, boring or restrictive. I’m here to show you how through my Simply Swapped Method so that you can feel more energized and confident from within. You’ll find tips for focusing on nutrition in the kitchen, along with plant-powered, gluten-free recipes that proves healthy can be delicious.