Endangered provincial icon deserves N.S. support
Nova Scotia’s provincial berry and those who grow it are hurting. Surely this calls for more than passing interest from the people and their government.
The blueberry is a provincial icon. It became Nova Scotia’s official berry by an Act of the Nova Scotia legislature, specifically Chapter 14 of the Acts of 1995-96, An Act to Declare the Nova Scotia Wild Blueberry to be the Provincial Berry of Nova Scotia.
The title is longer than the law, which simply states, charitably, that we can shorten it to the Provincial Berry Act, and declares the wild blueberry the province’s own.
Nova Scotia is the only province with a provincial berry, just as it is the only province with an official tartan and a sailing ambassador, recently refit for $25 million, so the precedent to hold emblems dearly is established.
The elevation of edibles to iconic status, while rare in Canada, is epidemic south of the border.
Maine claims the wild blueberry as the state fruit. Blueberry pie is the state dessert, but something called Whoopie pie is the state snack. That last designation casts doubt on the Pine Tree State’s sagacity in choice of emblems. Connecticut competes with Maine for goofy goo. The Snickerdoodle is its state snack.
Virginia and Minnesota hold the blueberry high but only as the state muffin. Minnesota seems attached to fungi too, having designated the Morel the state mushroom.
North Carolina embraces the blueberry, but its claim lacks commitment as it has a state “blue berry” and a state “red berry.” That rapacious ambiguity is fitting of the “Tar Heel State,” where everything sticks to their boots.
New Jersey’s state fruit is the northern highbush blueberry and its unofficial state weapon is the Saturday night special. Given their grip on the gun, it’s unwise to contest their grip on the berry. An interest in continued good health also motivates concession that a Jersey berg called Hammonton is the blueberry capital of the world.
Canadians are satisfied claiming national titles — Oxford is Canada’s blueberry capital — while Americans invariably take for themselves global championships. The World Series being the best example.
Other states with berry envy include Alabama and Kentucky who both claim the blackberry; Massachusetts, with its boggy cranberry; and Idaho, the huckleberry. North Dakota’s state fruit seems intended to draw sympathy. It’s the chokecherry.
Back here in real blueberry country, Nova Scotia, growers can produce a lot, and are at risk this year because volume has driven prices to rock bottom, 20 cents per pound. Just a few years ago they sold for 65 cents a pound. Blueberry growers, like golfers and football players, haven’t embraced metric measures.
While the research is not yet conclusive, blueberries are said to be good for the bones, lower blood pressure, manage diabetes, help prevent heart disease and cancer, improve mental acumen and reduce skin wrinkles.
The provincial Health Department says Nova Scotians are among the sickliest people in Canada, with the second-highest rate of diabetes, some of the highest rates of obesity, and the highest death rate from cancer. Plus, we have one of the oldest populations in the country.
It sounds like we should be swallowing wild blueberries by the fistful year-round. As my mum would say, they freeze beautifully. In the grocery store this week the big sign said “fresh blueberries.” Imagine the disappointment upon discovering they were highbush berries. No offence to the highbush variety, but they can’t match the taste of the wild berry.
Can Nova Scotians turn their backs on the provincial berry? Would Albertans, Manitobans or Saskatchewanians tread on their provincial grass? Would New Brunswickers or Prince Edward Islanders bulldoze their provincial mud?
Seriously, the wild blueberry has qualities Nova Scotia business promoters claim we need. It’s a plentiful product with immense export potential. It’s a boost to rural Nova Scotia. It’s the most delicious little fruit on earth.
Nova Scotia should be selling berries from Madrid to Manila.
The men and women who nurture Nova Scotia’s emblematic provincial berry need some help this year. Nova Scotians and their government need to step up and chow down.