Learning about strawberry farming, their nutritional benefits and inspiration from the #GetRealinCA Strawberry Farm Tour by California Strawberries!

This is a compensated campaign in collaboration with California Strawberries. Thanks for supporting the sponsors that allow me to create new and special content like this for Live Colorful.A few weeks ago I had the pleasure to drive to Monterey, CA for the #GetRealinCA Strawberry Farm Tour by California Strawberries! It was an amazing experience not just because I was able to meet other bloggers, nutritionists and experts in the field, but also because I learned so much about strawberry farming and their nutritional benefits.Photography by: Robert Durell PhotographyThe farm we visited in Salinas, CA was Fresalva Berry. Owned by the grower Jesus Alvarado. Jesus has an inspiring story. He worked his way up from picker, learning English along the way, to now owning Fresalva Berry, farming conventional and organic strawberries on 80-acres! His story is the definition of the American Dream. 90% of U.S. strawberries are grown year-round in California by 400 diverse family farmers, many on multi-generation farms. (You can read more of their stories here)Photography by: Robert Durell PhotographyCalifornia strawberry farming has given Latinos more ownership opportunities than any other major crop. Yay! Latinos now comprise two-thirds of strawberry growers in California. 25% of them moved up the ladder of agricultural success, starting as pickers and independent growers.California's 400 family strawberry farmers sustain their communities. They create 70,000 jobs, have funded more than $2 million in scholarships for children of field workers and invest 97 cents of every farm dollar back into their communities! They live and work in the communities where they farm – so protecting the health of the people, the land and environment is their top priority.Photography by: Robert Durell Photography

Strawberries are mighty tasty, plus they’re packed with nutrients. One serving of eight medium-sized strawberries contains:

• 140 percent of Daily Value for vitamin C
• 8 percent of Daily Value for folate
• 12 percent of Daily Value for dietary fiber
• 6 percent of Daily Value for potassium
• And only 7 grams of sugar

“Strawberries also help prevent diabetes. California strawberries are great sources of fiber, folate and potassium. Even though strawberries are naturally sweet, they’re very low in sugar—in fact, if you need to watch your sugar intake due to diabetes, the American Diabetes Association identifies berries, including strawberries, as one of the top 10 superfoods for a diabetes meal plan.” According to Nutrition Expert Toby Amidor, MS, RD, CDN. Author of The Greek Yogurt Kitchen: More Than 130 Delicious, Healthy Recipes for Every Meal of the Day.With more vitamin C per serving than an orange and loaded with nutrients, California strawberries are a nutritious and versatile fruit to enjoy every day, plus thet are naturally sweet but low in sugar with only 7 grams & 45 calories per cup!Most people believe that strawberries are a dessert-only treat, but the amazing chefs Tony Baker (Montrio) and Jasmine Wolf (The Lobos Truck) created a variety of delicious dishes that proved that belief wrong. There are so many ways to prepare strawberries and include them in your salads, main dishes, appetizers, desserts and everything you can image. Get inspired with recipes here.Photography by: Robert Durell PhotographyPhotography by: Robert Durell PhotographyI hope you enjoyed looking at the pictures from the trip. It was an amazing experience. The farming techniques were so interesting, the story behind Fresalva Berry farm was so inspiring and the company was so welcoming and interesting.  I really wanted to share more about this adventure so you can know more about what’s behind a cup of strawberries; nutrition, taste, dreams and hard work.  And of course, the pictures of us taking pictures are the best!Photography by: Robert Durell PhotographyPhotography by: Robert Durell Photography Follow California Strawberries in Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest for delicious recipes. Find more strawberries farming and nutritional benefits here.