From Brain Boosts to Breakfast Bowls: All About Blueberries
Celebrate Blueberry Season with Health, Flavor, and Fun
Blueberries are more than just a sweet, juicy summer treat—they’re a powerful superfood packed with nutrients, flavor, and endless versatility in the kitchen. Whether you’re picking them fresh at the farmers market or grabbing a bag from your freezer, blueberries are a seasonal must-have.
Here’s why you should be eating more blueberries—and how to enjoy them in simple, delicious ways all season long.
Why Blueberries Deserve a Spot on Your Plate
1. They’re Nutrient-Packed Powerhouses
These tiny berries are loaded with fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, manganese, and potassium. Their vibrant blue color comes from anthocyanins, compounds known to reduce inflammation and help protect against heart disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, and more.
2. They Boost Brain Health
Just a serving or two per week may help maintain memory and even slow cognitive decline. Research suggests blueberries can boost memory, mood, and focus, making them a smart snack for all ages.
3. They Love Your Heart
Blueberries can help lower the risk of heart disease by supporting healthy blood pressure and reducing inflammation. Like many colorful fruits and vegetables, they play an important role in heart health.
4. They Support Digestion
Blueberries contain prebiotics, which nourish the healthy bacteria in your gut and support digestion. A happy gut equals a healthier you!
5. They’re Great for Post-Workout Recovery
Thanks to their manganese, vitamin C, and antioxidant content, blueberries help protect your cells from oxidative stress and support energy production. Snack on them after your next workout.
6. Frozen Might Be Better Than Fresh
Surprise! Frozen blueberries may actually retain more nutrients since they’re picked at peak ripeness and flash-frozen. They’re also convenient—pre-washed and ready to toss into smoothies, oatmeal, or baking.
5 Delicious Ways to Use Blueberries This Season
1. Add Them to Everyday Meals
It doesn’t get easier than this. Mix blueberries into:
Yogurt or oatmeal
Smoothies
Pancake or muffin batter
Leafy green salads
Fruit salads
Storage Tip: Keep blueberries unwashed in the fridge until ready to use to extend freshness.
2. Make a Blueberry Sauce
Perfect for drizzling over pancakes, waffles, ice cream, or cakes, blueberry sauce can be made simply with blueberries and sweetener (like sucanat). Add a touch of molasses and lime to enhance the flavor.
Try this quick method:
Simmer blueberries with a splash of water and your sweetener of choice until thickened. Store in the fridge and enjoy all week.
3. Freeze or Dehydrate for Later
Freezing:
Lay blueberries in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with a towel.
Freeze until solid, then transfer to an airtight container.
Great for smoothies, sauces, and baking (frozen blueberries won’t turn your batter purple!).
Dehydrating:
Blanch berries in boiling water for 30 seconds.
Dry in a dehydrator at 130–135°F until leathery.
Store in an airtight container for long-term snacking.
4. Make Blueberry Jam
Capture summer in a jar with a simple freezer jam recipe. It’s quicker than canning and keeps more of the fruit’s natural taste and nutrients.
Want to go sugar-free or naturally sweetened? Try making jam with honey or sucanat and use Pomona’s Pectin for a preservative-free option.
5. Serve Up a Blueberry Dessert
Simple and satisfying dessert ideas include:
Yogurt and granola parfaits
Ice cream topped with blueberry sauce
Classic blueberry cobblers, crisps, and pies
Fruited yogurt or blueberry lemon mocktails
Pro tip: Make blueberry dessert salsa and serve with cinnamon pita chips for a fun and fruity twist.
Celebrate Blueberry Season at the Market
Blueberry Day is happening this Saturday at the Lexington Farmers Market from 8 AM - 12 PM. Stop by to grab fresh pints of blueberries, explore blueberry-themed products from your favorite vendors, and get inspired to make the most of this sweet summer fruit! There will be a live Demo from Sandy Creek Farms, talking about the benefits of blueberries, giving ideas for cooking and more!
Whether you're snacking, baking, or preserving them for later—blueberries are a small but mighty fruit you’ll want to keep close all season long.
Celebrating Local Creativity
Lexington Farmers Market Poster Competition - Winner Announced
The Lexington Farmers Market recently partnered with Davidson-Davie Community College’s Digital Media program for a Poster Design Competition — and the results were nothing short of inspiring. The competition brought together talented students who were challenged to create a design that reflected the heart of the market: fresh, local, and community-driven.
From this group, 15 finalists were selected based on originality, clarity of message, and artistic execution. After a close review by our board, one design rose to the top.
Meet Our Winner: Jordan Brown
We’re proud to announce Jordan Brown as the winner of the 2025 Lexington Farmers Market Poster Competition. Jordan’s poster perfectly captures the warmth and energy of our market while showcasing a polished, modern design sensibility.
Here’s a bit about Jordan:
"Hi, I’m Jordan Brown. I’m graduating this May from the Digital Media pathway at Davidson-Davie Community College. I've been doing digital media since I was 13, so when I started this program, it felt like the natural route. There were times I questioned if I picked the right path, but I stuck with it and now I really see how valuable it is. Digital media is a stepping stone into a lot of different fields. At 16, I started and ran my own five-figure business, which taught me a lot about branding, marketing, and of course trial and error of business. I recently got accepted for a marketing internship, and I’m ready to continue improving on a professional level. Long term, I plan to start another business. Just not sure what it’ll be yet, but I'm figuring it out as I go."
Jordan’s talent, determination, and entrepreneurial spirit made a strong impression — and we’re thrilled to display their winning design throughout the 2025 season.
Honoring All 15 Finalists
We also want to recognize the 15 finalists from Davidson-Davie Community College whose work made this competition so exciting. Each design brought a unique perspective to what the Lexington Farmers Market means, and we’re incredibly grateful for their creativity and effort.
Keep an eye out around town for Jordan’s poster, and be sure to stop by the market this season to celebrate the talent and collaboration that make our community thrive.
“Food Is Medicine”
It all begins with an idea.
Understanding the Role of Nutrition in Health
The phrase “food is medicine” isn’t just a trend — it reflects a growing body of research showing how what we eat can shape our health. While food can’t replace modern medicine, a nutritious, whole-foods diet plays a critical role in preventing and managing disease.
How Food Affects Health
Diets high in processed foods — like sugary drinks, fast food, and refined grains — are linked to increased risks of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and even some cancers. These foods can harm gut health, trigger inflammation, and disrupt metabolism.
In contrast, eating more whole, plant-based foods supports gut health, immune function, and reduces inflammation. Diets like the Mediterranean, plant-based, or paleo have been associated with lower risks of chronic illness and better mental health.
What Makes Food So Powerful?
Whole foods provide essential nutrients:
Vitamins & Minerals like Vitamin C and D support immunity and prevent deficiencies.
Fiber aids digestion, feeds gut bacteria, and helps reduce disease risk.
Healthy fats and protein help repair tissues, regulate inflammation, and support heart and brain health.
Antioxidants and polyphenols in fruits, vegetables, and grains protect cells and may even support mental well-being.
Can Food Treat Disease?
While a healthy diet can reduce risk and sometimes even help reverse certain conditions, it cannot replace medical care. Genetics, environment, stress, and lifestyle also shape health — and forgoing medical treatment in favor of diet alone can be dangerous.
Access Matters
It’s important to recognize that not everyone has access to nutritious foods. Food insecurity, affordability, and systemic inequities continue to impact health, especially in marginalized communities. Expanding access to affordable, healthy options must be part of the solution.
Join Us for “Food is Medicine” Day!
📅 Saturday, May 24| 🕗 8 AM – 12 PM
Food may not cure all, but it’s a powerful foundation for lifelong health. When paired with quality healthcare and healthy lifestyle habits, a good diet becomes a form of everyday preventive medicine.
Start Your Pollinator Garden This Weekend!
It all begins with an idea.
Man, time is buzzing by—and so are the bees! If you haven’t already started your pollinator garden, now is the perfect time to dig in and plant with purpose.
As your garden starts to thrive this season, it's essential to think about how your plants will be pollinated—and protected. Pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds don’t just make your garden prettier, they play a vital role in ensuring your fruits, veggies, and flowers reach their full potential.
Why Plant for Pollinators?
Planting for pollinators is one of the most powerful ways to improve your garden’s productivity and health. Here's why:
Boost Your Harvest: More pollinators = better pollination = more fruits, veggies, and blooms.
Repel Pests Naturally: Pollinator-friendly plants often attract beneficial insects that keep harmful pests in check.
Support Biodiversity: A pollinator-friendly space helps support not only your own garden but the broader ecosystem.
Think Global, Grow Local
Did you know that three-quarters of all plants on Earth rely on pollinators to survive? That means your backyard garden can have a global impact. By planting with pollinators in mind, you’re taking part in a worldwide effort to support the food chain and protect biodiversity.
Join Us for “Start YOUR Pollinator Garden” Day!
📅 Saturday, May 17 | 🕗 8 AM – 12 PM
Come out this weekend and learn how to give pollinators the space they need to thrive. We’ll have:
Pollinator-friendly seed giveaways
Expert tips and tricks for garden planning
Info on what to plant and when
Ideas for protecting and supporting beneficial insects
Whether you're just starting or expanding your garden, this event is the perfect place to get inspired and informed.
Let’s grow a better future—one flower at a time.