GrahamBerries Are Back At Abilis This Summer

GREENWICH, CT — GrahamBerries, the delicious organic blueberries available each summer through Abilis, are back for a limited time and while supplies last. Abilis is a nonprofit organization that provides services and support to more than 800 people with disabilities and their families in Fairfield County.

These just-picked farm-fresh organic blueberries are sold at several locations around Greenwich, Darien and Stamford.

GrahamBerries are from a unique partnership with Blueberry Hill, an organic blueberry farm in upstate New York owned by Peter and Phillippa Orzulak, whose son Graham, is an Abilis community member.

GrahamBerries are available now through mid-August, or as long as supplies last, and available for $12 a quart, $8 pint or $5 a half-pint.

Orders can be placed in advance at Abilis Gardens & Gifts by calling 203-531-GIFT or in-person at all of the following locations:

• Abilis Gardens & Gifts: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., 50 Glenville St., Greenwich.
• The Café at Greenwich Library: Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday 1 p.m.-4 p.m., 101 W. Putnam Ave., Greenwich.
• Island Beach Concession Stand: Monday-Sunday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Cos Cob Firehouse: Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 200 E. Putnam Ave., Greenwich.
• Old Greenwich Farmers Market: Wednesdays, 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., 38 West End Ave., Old Greenwich.
• Greenwich Town Hall: Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 101 Field Point Road.
• The Café at Darien Library: Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., 1441 Post Road, Darien.
• Abilis Courthouse Café: Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the courthouse at 123 Hoyt St. in Stamford.
• Boxcar Cantina: GrahamBerries are used in special GrahamBerries blueberry margaritas, 44 Old Field Point Road, Greenwich.

"We are so excited to have GrahamBerries back again this summer," noted Abilis President and CEO Amy Montimurro in a news release.

"GrahamBerries have been a summer favorite going on close to 13 years now. Selling the berries provides a great opportunity for Graham, the namesake of GrahamBerries, and other individuals supported by Abilis, to learn valuable sales skills while selling the blueberries around town and at our Abilis-managed Cafés and the Island Beach Concession Stand. It is a great opportunity to learn retail sales skills as well as customer service and we are proud to have GrahamBerries as part of our Abilis Employment program," Montimurro added. "This ongoing program helps provide positive work experiences for adults with special needs and disabilities. Selling the GrahamBerries is both fun and empowering for our Abilis community members and we love that we’ve been able to partner with the Orzulak’s on this important initiative."

The Orzulak family, who owns the blueberry farm, Blueberry Hill, and their team pick the blueberries, package them and personally transport them to Greenwich, where the Orzulak’s son Graham and his team of blueberry sales staff set up locations around town.

Graham has received services from Abilis beginning when he was a baby with Abilis’ Birth to Three program.

Diagnosed as an infant with Angelman Syndrome, a genetic disorder, Graham started to receive supports in the Early Intervention program.

As Graham approached adulthood, his family wanted him to have opportunities to be more independent and that included a job. Abilis developed an individualized day program, a beautiful home for Graham and his friends and an employment plan, which included selling and delivering organic blueberries from his family’s farm.

To learn more about GrahamBerries call Abilis Gardens & Gifts at 203-531-GIFT (4438). To learn more about Abilis’ Competitive Employment Program, visit abilis.us or call 203-531-1880.