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Blueberries Stand Up To Damp Northeast Summer

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Aug 8, 2009 2:31 pm US/Eastern

Blueberries Stand Up To Damp Northeast Summer

NORTHBOROUGH (AP) ―

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The rainy and cool weather that hung over New England for much of June and July has not dampened the spirits of blueberry pickers.

While other crops have suffered, growers say the blueberry has enjoyed a strong season -- in part because they began to bloom in May before the persistent rains that descended on the region.

Phyllis Tougas, who owns a pick-your-own farm in Northborough, Mass., says the weather only set the blueberry crop back about a week and the yield has been excellent.

Nationally, Mark Villata of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council says demand is growing as consumers discover the potential health benefits of blueberries, which are rich in antioxidants.

North American blueberry production totaled about 653 million pounds in 2008.