FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- Despite a cold snap in the weather in early 2019, farmers are expecting a good turnout for strawberry season.

• More than 1,000 acres are harvested across the state.
• North Carolina is the fourth largest producer of strawberries in the nation.
• The State Department of Agriculture and the State's Strawberry Association will have a strawberry day event in Raleigh on May 2 at the State Farmers Market.

More than 1,000 acres are harvested across the state. North Carolina is the fourth largest producer of strawberries in the nation.

Statistics showed from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture that the crop brought in more than $21 million in revenue. Officials encourage buyers to pick their fruit fresh while the fruit is at its peak until the end of May.

"Well you can definitely tell the difference, they're fresher," Fayetteville resident, Cheri Portee said. "Right off the vine, you can't compare that to going to the grocery. You really don't know how long they've been sitting on the shelf. You're just picking it off and taking it right to your table."

The State Department of Agriculture and the State's Strawberry Association will have a strawberry day event in Raleigh on May 2 at the State Farmers Market.