2020 has been a good summer so far for Western New York fruit growers. One portion of the business seems to be picking up, even during the pandemic.

Since mid-July, local fruit farms have been popular places. Blueberry season is here.

"Blueberries last," said Rachel Taddei, as she picked fruit at Burch Farms in Hilton. "You can freeze them, put them in smoothies and bake them in the middle of winter."

Taddei is a tax accountant who has used her recent downtime to get back to one of her summer favorites, U-pick blueberries and other fruits.

"It’s very peaceful," she said. "This summer particularly, I was busy until July 15 doing taxes. So this is like my zen time, to come out here and have some farm time. Outdoor time."

For others, too, it’s about much more than just the blueberries.

"Just coming out here, it’s very peaceful out here," said Joan Demarle-Oberlin of Spencerport.

Bayard Burch helps run the family fruit farm, which started growing apples, blueberries, strawberries and other crops in 1950. Like many businesses, the coronavirus pandemic has had an impact.  

But not necessarily a negative one.

"I think it might have helped U-pick this year," said Burch. "Just because so many people wanted to get out."

Getting out is another sign of the season. There are few things better in a Western New York summer.