PEI

P.E.I. strawberries out early thanks to warm spring

The Island strawberry season is already well underway, with teams out picking for the last week or so.

Harvest started about a week ago for most Island growers

Islanders are being asked to be on the lookout for local product. (Jane Robertson/CBC)

The Island strawberry season is already well underway.

The harvest usually starts around Canada Day, but some growers have already had teams out picking for a week.

Matt Compton, owner of Compton's Vegetable Stand in Summerside and president of the P.E.I. Strawberry Grower's Association, says a warm spring with little frost and timely rain brought on the early harvest.

He is asking Islanders to be on the lookout for P.E.I. berries.

Matt Compton shows off a handful of strawberries from his farm. (Ken Linton/CBC)

"If you're supporting a grower at their own store or at a smaller corner store that has strawberries, that's Island fruit. You're putting those dollars right back into the Island economy," said Compton.

He said some farmers are seeing a slow start to sales so far.

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