Wépion strawberry facts for kids
The Wépion strawberry is a special type of strawberry grown near Wépion, a village in Belgium. Wépion is located in the Wallonia region, close to the city of Namur. These strawberries are famous, but the name "Wépion strawberry" isn't just for one specific type. It includes many different kinds of strawberries grown in that area.
The Story of Wépion Strawberries
The Wépion strawberry became well-known between the two World Wars. More people started taking holidays, and tourism grew in the area. Many families in villages like Bois-de-Villers, Dave, Maillen, Malonne, and Wépion grew strawberries. They farmed small plots of land, often just a few ares (about 100 square meters). They would sell their fresh strawberries in the public squares of different villages.
In the 1960s, the strawberry trade grew even more. Local markets joined together to form a cooperative. This cooperative was built between Bois-de-Villers and Wépion. People quickly started calling the building "Auction of Wépion" (or Criée de Wépion in French). Hundreds of strawberry growers became part of this cooperative.
By the 1970s, villages became more built-up, and new rules made farming harder. This caused a big drop in the number of strawberry growers. By the early 1980s, only about ten growers remained. These growers became very professional in how they grew and sold their strawberries. The area where they grew strawberries spread out about twenty kilometers around the Criée de Wépion. This is how professional strawberry farmers were born.
In the early 2000s, the cooperative became an official "producers organization." This meant it was open to all growers who wanted to help spread strawberry production.
How Wépion Strawberries Are Grown
Wépion strawberries are grown following very strict rules. Farmers get help from experts called "agronomic technicians." These experts work for an independent group called "the Walloon Strawberry Producers Organization."
The first strawberries of the year are picked in May. These are grown in greenhouses or plastic tunnels, which can be heated. In June, strawberries grown outdoors without extra heat are harvested. From July to October, growers plant new strawberry plants. These plants extend the harvest season.
Farmers keep careful records of everything they do for their strawberry plants. This helps them track each strawberry from the farm to the store. Daily checks are done to make sure the strawberries are of high quality. This also helps prevent any problems.
Strawberries are picked when they are fully ripe. This usually happens in the morning before the day gets too hot. After picking, they are carefully placed into small containers called punnets or into cartons.
What makes Criée de Wépion strawberries special is how ripe they are when picked. Also, they are always arranged neatly on top of the punnet. By the evening of the day they are picked, the strawberries are sold. They go to wholesalers, shops, and supermarkets. This means you can often buy them fresh the very next day.
The Criée de Wépion is an approved cooperative. It works closely with "the Strawberry Producers Organization" (GFW). This organization is a key center for the strawberry industry in Wallonia.
The Strawberry Auction
Every evening during the harvest season, strawberry growers bring their produce to an auction. This auction starts at 7:30 PM and is open to merchants and traders.
Buyers gather in one place to bid. They use a special "Dutch auction" style. A price is shown on a large dial, like a clock face. Instead of hours, the dial shows prices. A hand moves around, and buyers can stop it when they agree to the price.
