The Best Berries In Northwest Washington -- Sakuma Brothers

If you are looking for the best berries in northwest Washington, check out the Sakuma Brothers in Skagit County. I live in Bellingham, but it is only a short drive away.

For as long as I can remember, this family has been a jewel here in the Pacific Northwest. I had the opportunity to introduce my daughter and my grandson to the wonderful Sakuma berries just yesterday.

The Sakuma family has been known for their fresh berries for many years. In fact, I first heard the name Sakuma when I was in grade school. That is fifty years ago. My brother-in-law (older than me and I called him uncle) was a business partner with one of the Sakuma family members. They owned a motel together. My uncle Del was a contractor and Sakuma ran a berry farm. Reading the family history at their website, I see that they first began raising berries in the Skagit Valley in 1941.

The years went by and, as I became an adult, I found out what a great berry field the Sakumas owned. It is at 17400 Cook Road in Burlington. They have the most wonderful assortment of home-grown vegetables, fruit and berries. You can buy the produce off the shelf or you-pick marion berries, blueberries, strawberries, raspberries and other treats. How about these strawberries, fresh picked and for sale yesterday?

Another neat thing is that, even though strawberry season is over in the northwest, not at Sakuma's. They have found a way to extend the season so even now they have the most delicious strawberries -- huge, red and tasty. Here is a photo with my daughter holding some that she purchased yesterday. She asked why the grocery stores cannot sell such good berries. Well, because they are not Sakuma's is the answer.

Sakumas sells fresh strawberries all summer long, up until October, and they are real big beauties. If you live in the northwest, be sure to check out this local treasure. It is a rich part of our history in the northwest.