5 places to pick or get your fresh blueberry fix near Tri-Cities
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Crimson Acres U-pick opens June–August at 52217 W. Yakitat Rd., Prosser.
- Crimson Acres grows five blueberry cultivars: Dukes, Draper, Top Shelf, Cargo and Last.
- U-pick pricing at Crimson Acres is $4.50 per pound or $30 for a pre-picked 5 lb bag.
Through the limbs of the willows that line the driveway and set against a backdrop of the white house that the owners occupy, you’ll find Crimson Acres.
This blueberry U-pick destination, at 52217 W. Yakitat Rd., Prosser, is a tranquil savior from busy highway 12 and nestles up against the mountains.
Farming is in the Bauder’s blood. Owner Cory Bauder’s granddad broke ground on the farm 50 years ago with an orchard. When Bauder got his four acres in 2013, he wasn’t immediately sure what to do with them, but knew he wanted his five kids to grow up on a farm just like he did.
“We prayed, prayed, prayed, prayed, prayed,” Bauder said. “Next thing you know, it’s like: ‘Let’s go with blueberries.’”
Bauder was never a blueberry fan, always hesitant due to the small size of the ones in grocery stores and only sought them out in the occasional muffin or pancake he could drown in maple syrup.
However, since opening the farm to U-pickers in 2017, Bauder’s mind has changed.
“Now, we look forward to June, July, August, having fresh blueberries all through summer,” Bauder said.
Besides the berries, Bauder has found another reason to love the season.
“I enjoy seeing people come and enjoy the fruit of our labor that takes 10 months of the year to get one day for somebody to have that smile on their face,” Bauder said.
To make the season last all summer, Crimson Acres grows five cultivars, or varieties, of blueberries: Dukes, which kick off the season, Draper, Top Shelf and Cargo, which are in the second wave, and Last Call, which rounds the season out.
Because Crimson Acres has thousands of plants, they also sell them commercially to a second party.
The farm is open Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to Noon. Bauder recommends coming early.
They provide containers, but feel free to bring your own. U-pick pricing is $4.50/lb or $30 for a pre-picked 5 lb bag this season.
A good way to stay in the loop about which varieties are in season is by visiting the Crimson Acres website and signing up for their newsletter.
If you missed blueberry season and can’t wait until next summer, here are some places in the Tri-Cities that have blueberry items on their menu.
Drinks
Twigs Bistro and Martini Bar, located at 1321 N. Columbia Center Blvd., Kennewick, has a zero proof blueberry cucumber cooler on their online happy hour menu. This refreshing option is perfect for beating the heat. They also have a Blueberry Collins, according to Facebook, made with gin, elderflower liqueur and more. Their menu also has pizzas, salads, weekend brunch and gluten-free options.
Rise & Shine Bake Shop, located at 308 W. Kennewick Ave., Kennewick, also has a blueberry drink, but this time it’s an energy drink. The Love Bug, which is blue Tiki, strawberry, blueberry and guava, is on their summer menu. Their food offers range from cookies and cakes to pastries like scones, pie bars and more.
Sweets
Start your day with blueberries at The Village Bistro, located at 5215 W. Clearwater Ave., Kennewick. Their blueberry cakes offering comes with 2 blueberry pancakes, 2 eggs and a choice between ham, bacon or sausage, according to their online menu. They also serve handhelds, like sandwiches and tacos, and breakfast pairings, like biscuits and gravy or steak and eggs.
If you think muffins when you think blueberries, then Viera’s Bakery has a blueberry muffin to check out. There are two locations in Pasco, 430 W. Lewis St. and 6411 Burden Blvd. The bakery also serves breads, pastries, cakes and more.
Want to read more about localizing national food trends? Send your story ideas to emma.zawacki@tricityherald.com
