5/2/2009  posted by Kaye Ireland

Doesn’t that vision make your mouth water? If you’ve never stood in a field and smelled the damp dirt while picking plump juicy strawberries, I urge you to stop what you’re doing and head to Portland, Tennessee right now. Berries grown in Middle Tennessee have a wonderful aroma, and are sweeter and juicier than their Florida or California cousins found at grocery stores.

For the past several years, our CVB staff has taken just-picked berries to the Tennessee Welcome Center on I-65 near the Tennessee/Kentucky border during National Tourism Week. I love the look on the faces of travelers who bite into these fresh treats…surprise and delight…they always want to know where they can find some to take home. (Exit 117, I-65 and head east toward Portland)

The season is short, around six to eight weeks. Early berries are ready for picking now and I hear they’re near perfect. If you don’t want that field experience you can buy them from local farms or roadside stands. Sustaining agriculture and helping small farms is part of the green movement and your reward is the tasty fruit.

Middle Tennessee Strawberry Festival is held at Portland each year in mid-May, complete with pancake breakfast, a huge parade, beauty pageant to crown the Strawberry Queen, live music at the Strawberry Jam, arts & craft booths, food and children’s activities. Of course there will be farmers on hand with strawberries for sale. This year’s festival is Saturday, May 16, 2009. For more information call 615-325-9032 or link to http://www.portlandcofc.com/strawberryfestival.html

My taste buds are craving the sweetness of a bowl full of berries with their juices covering a crispy buttered biscuit, made perfect with smooth whipped cream on top. Mercy, I’ve got to find my hat and car keys…the fields are calling my name.

Where to Find Strawberries near Portland: