Photo: Isue/Wikimedia Commons
Abby Conway
Strawberry Prices Drop
If you’ve been to the supermarket lately you may have noticed how inexpensive strawberries have become. Just last weekend I purchased 2lbs for $2.99. The reason for the sudden drop in prices is, in a nutshell, the weather: a freeze in Florida delayed its strawberry season, leaving the state’s berries to hit the market at the same time as California’s strawberries. With prices so low (in some places as low as $1.25 a pound, or half of what they might normally sell for) some growers can’t afford to harvest their berries and have opened the fields to the public. This story, broadcast April 12th on NPR’s “Morning Edition,” gives insight into the issue and the controversy surrounding how some strawberry growers are dealing with it.
Highway Farmers’ Markets
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation will launch the 10th year of its road-side farmers’ market program next month. This year the program is expanding, bringing vendors to 18 highway service plazas, up from 11 last year. The vending space is free (first-come, first-serve) and open to anyone selling made-in-Massachusetts products as long as they don’t compete with businesses already operating within the service plaza. This list of locations will steer you towards a highway market near you.
You Be the Fudge
The W Hotel and Bliss Boston want you to judge which local bakery’s chewy chocolate confections should be dubbed the ‘Bliss Boston Brownie.’ This brownie showdown will take place at the W Hotel on May 3rd, 6-9 PM. The tasting will feature fudgy delights from Flour Bakery + Cafe, Rosie’s Bakery and The South End Buttery. Cocktail sipping and live blogging from the event are encouraged.
New cupcake bakery to open in Brighton
Brighton Center is soon to be home to a new cupcake joint, Cherry Bomb Bakery. Set to open May 1st at 379 Washington Street (former home of The Battery), Cherry Bomb will feature cupcakes, as well as morning pastries and cookies, some vegan and gluten-free. Owner Colin Cunningham previously worked at Blue Ginger, Troquet and EVOO. An idea of what to expect? How about a chocolate-tipped vanilla cake with ricotta frosting (a.k.a The Cannoli) or barbecue butter-topped cornbread with pulled pork baked inside.