Hands pick better berries

“Indian people who buy huckleberries tend to look for hand-picked berries because they taste better. They stick their fingers in the box and move the berries around to make sure they move freely and aren’t sticking to each other.

“Using a machine tends to result in berries that are nicked, cut or crushed. These berries crack and start to dry out and change. They don’t store as well. They’re simply not as good.”

Rob McDonald, spokesman

for the Sallish and Kootenai Tribes