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ontario blueberry farm gets shout-out from celebrity cookbook author

ever since food network kitchen host erin mcdowell helped victoria spencer perfect her pie crust, the owner of west lorne, ont.'s bluegroves farms can't keep up with demand.

by karen hawthorne
published aug 16, 2022
read time 2 minute read
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read time 2 minute read
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ontario blueberry farm catches attention of celebrity cookbook author
victoria spencer described her first attempt at blueberry pie as an “epic failure.” getty
when victoria spencer bought a 63-acre organic blueberry farm in west lorne, ont., a half-hour drive from london, she’d never baked a pie — let alone managed a farm, cbc news reports. spencer had worked as a chocolatier and thought making blueberry pies to sell at her bluegroves farms market bakery would help boost business. about 300 visitors a day come during prime blueberry season, from late july to the end of august, many to pick their own berries from six different varieties. they can also buy blueberry jams, juices and syrups, but who can resist a fresh-baked blueberry pie?
except that her first attempt was a self-proclaimed “epic failure.”
so, like many people who need some inspiring self-help, she turned to social media. she found celebrity cookbook author erin mcdowell who teaches weekly baking classes on food network kitchen and hosts the series bake it up a notch for food52. mcdowell’s recipes helped spencer bake a top-notch blueberry pie — now a farm favourite.

celebrity cookbook author helped save the family blueberry farm

and this is where the story gets even sweeter. spencer’s mom sent a thank you email to mcdowell, explaining that her daughter’s pies had a soggy bottom crust (from mom’s family recipe). mcdowell’s crusts are amazing and “saved the family farm” because spencer can’t keep up with the demand, wrote spencer’s mom.

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the baking queen gave them a shout-out on instagram that’s become her most watched video on the platform.
“turns out pie may actually be able to change the world (or at least sweet little corners of it),” wrote mcdowell. “forever grateful for farmers everywhere who bring us the beautiful food we eat.”

are blueberries good for you?

the blue beauties are more than just sweet and pretty to look at. they’re also packed with nutrients, many of which are classified as disease-preventing antioxidants and phytochemicals, according to the mayo clinic. a one-cup serving has about 25 per cent of the recommended daily value for vitamin c, 4 grams of dietary fibre and a high water content to keep you feeling full and satisfied.
as with many fruits and vegetables, the power of blueberries lies in their colour. the deep blue shade comes from anthocyanin, a phytochemical known to help protect against heart disease and type 2 diabetes, reduce inflammation and promote gut health.
research has also linked the versatile fruit to improving memory and delaying age-related cognitive decline. a new study out of the university of cincinnati, published in the journal nutrients, found that adding blueberries to the daily diet of middle-aged people with insulin resistance and higher risk for dementia may lower the chances of developing late-life dementia.
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karen hawthorne is a toronto-based writer.
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karen hawthorne
karen hawthorne

karen hawthorne worked for six years as a digital editor for the national post, contributing articles on health, business, culture and travel for affiliated newspapers across canada. she now writes from her home office in toronto and takes breaks to bounce with her son on the backyard trampoline and walk bingo, her bull terrier.

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