Strawberries by MEGAN BOWEN

Where is strawberries grown? Are they domestic or imported?

379185 — 2024-02-07 18:55:59 UTC

Strawberries are usually found growing in the USA and Mexico.

They are domestic in Mexico and imported into the USA.

What is the production process? Farming techniques, processing (cleaning, cutting, etc), chemicals used, and/or any other interesting facts you learn along the way.

379185 — 2024-02-07 18:57:12 UTC

2 of the main farming techniques are the matted-row system and the hill system. Some of the more common chemicals used on strawberries are 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D) and chloropicrin.

How are these strawberries assembled and packaged for the consumer?

379185 — 2024-02-07 19:02:33 UTC

The strawberries are picked and packaged into a “clamshell” container. They are then shipped by truck to stores across the country.

How do these strawberries reach the consumer? Not just delivery, but are they frozen or processed in any other way?

379185 — 2024-02-07 19:04:47 UTC

The strawberries are taken to a cooling facility where big fans draw out the field heat. Once they've cooled enough, they're loaded into refrigerated trucks.

Typically, how long would a strawberry's shelf life be?

379185 — 2024-02-07 19:08:11 UTC

A strawberries shelf life is about a week long.

Are there any local growers/markers of strawberries? If not, where is the nearest ‘farm’ producing it?

379185 — 2024-02-07 19:10:03 UTC

There are tons of farms producing strawberries in San Diego and up to 300 in the whole state of California.