Strawberry Fields Forever?
Dust kicks up in a cloud, and the sound of gravel crunches as cars and trucks pull into what’s become a summer staple in the Capital Region — fresh strawberry roadside stands. The ramshackle wooden stands, with bright red hand-painted strawberry signs and makeshift awnings to shield workers from extreme summer heat, are typically open seven days a week in peak season. Loyal customers know to get there early if they want the freshest, juiciest strawberries around for their pies, smoothies and salads. Some snack as soon as they get into their car, the sweetness bursting in their mouth with more intensity than any store-bought berry.