Blueberries Donated To Local Food Pantries

PRAIRIE GROVE -- Life Ministries in Prairie Grove and Grace Place in Lincoln are reaping the benefits of a bumper blueberry crop this summer.

For the third year, Jarvis Farms, located west of Prairie Grove on Greasy Valley Road, has donated blueberries to help non-profit organizations. Last week, 11 teenagers picked 44 gallons of blueberries for three hours one morning. They later delivered the blueberries, packed in one-gallon plastic bags, to Life Ministries and Grace Place.

Jarvis Farms has two acres planted with blueberries, raspberries and blackberries. The farm is open for the public to come pick berries for $22 per gallon. Coleman Jarvis, a student at the University of Arkansas, said blueberries should be available for about two more weeks.

The farm is owned by Coleman's parents but Coleman and his sister, Sarah, take care of the plants. Sarah, an 11th-grader at Prairie Grove High School, said she began texting friends and many volunteered to get up and help pick blueberries.

"We've always had enough blueberries," said Coleman. "We would rather donate them to people, instead of letting them hit the ground and go to waste."

Dave Robins, president of Life Ministries' board of directors, said the organization enjoys giving out blueberries to their clients because the fruit is a luxury. The blueberries will be divided into pint containers and handed out along with other food items to needy families and senior citizens.

Robins said Life Ministries has had others in the community donate produce from their gardens this year. It's a special treat to be able to give families fresh fruits and vegetables, Robins said.