Wild for Blueberries - Where to Find Maine’s Blueberries
In far-flung fields and barrens, wild blueberries sit ripening in the sun, awaiting the rake each summer in Maine, the United States’ largest producer of wild blueberries. Every year, beginning in late July and early August, crews head to the fields and barrens to carefully rake ‘em up.
The wild blueberry, sometimes called the low-bush blueberry, is native to Maine and thrives in its glacier-churned soil and challenging seasons. These hardy little berries are generally smaller than their high-bush cousins and, say their most ardent fans, are juicier and more flavorful as well. Wild blueberry’s also pack a powerful punch of natural anti-oxidants, up to two times that of regular blueberries.
To get your share, check out the bakeries and cafes that bake Maine’s official state dessert, the Maine wild-blueberry pie (yum!). Pop into Hello, Good Pie. Co, in Belgrade, stop by the farm stand in Newry for a Puzzle Mountain pie, or visit Two Fat Cats Bakery in Portland.
Enjoy two days dedicated to the wild blueberry on the annual Wild Blueberry Weekend, taking place the first weekend in August. Follow the interactive map to find blueberry farm tours, delicious food and beverages and more across the state - all celebrating the humble little berry.
True fans travel to Machias in DownEast Maine every summer for the Machias Wild Blueberry Festival which features dessert competitions, pie-eating contests and a wild-blueberry musical (you read that right).
Most of Maine’s wild-blueberry harvesting is done by large, commercial operations such as Wyman’s of Maine. But there are a few farms that’ll let you swing a rake and pick blueberries yourself. The season generally runs from late July into August and early September. Visit Perseverance Wild Blueberry Farm or Smith Ridge Farm. And be sure to celebrate Maine's state berry as often as you can!