Went to one of our local farmer’s place couple of weeks ago. They had bunches of wonderful strawberries which you could pick yourself at greatly reduced prices. Took my grandson and one of his buddies and everyone picked. Let them sell some to the neighbors and they kept the money they earned. Filled part of the freezer with the rest. Farmer is also going to do self-pick as other things are ready. He still makes money, doesn’t have to hire or supervise employees, lots of folks get fresh fruit and vegetables, the grandson has some extra spending money and everyone is happy.
I guess I grew up spoiled. We live in an area where they grow wild and heaven forbid they ever get a start on your property. However, I would pick the wild berries on old vines that grew by a creek called Sutter Creek in Amador County and in other areas around the home acreage. Mom would then bake the best pies in the world, black berry pies and sometimes black berry cobbler. Just eating them off the vine when they are warm from the sun is a treat and hard to pick enough if you fall to eating to many of them:). kind of old to be out picking them now though.