California Giant tests item-level traceability
Watsonville, Calif.-based California Giant Berry Farms is piloting item-level traceability programs to find one that works best for its needs, said Cindy Jewell, marketing director.
The company currently uses a case-level traceability system. Jewell said the company is compliant with the Produce Traceability Initiative.
Curry & Co. expects more blueberries and blackberries
Matt Curry, president, Curry & Co. Inc., Brooks, Ore., said his company expects to market about 25% more blueberries and 15% more blackberries this season as compared to last year.
Curry & Co. started its blackberry program in 2011 and sources most of its berries from California and Oregon.
Curry & Co. is adding a new color version of its logo to its packaging beginning with this year’s California blueberry season, Curry said.
Gourmet Trading offers SuperBlues in smaller packs
Julia Inestroza, marketing director, Gourmet Trading Co., Los Angeles, said the company’s new 5 , 10, and 16-ounce packs for SuperBlues provide more choices to its customers and should help increase retailers’ profits.
The packs were introduced with this season’s California deal.
In addition to SuperBlues, Gourmet Trading markets regular-size blueberries and blackberries. It sources blueberries from California, Oregon and Canada. Most of its blackberries are grown in Mexico, Inestroza said.
HBF and Hurst’s move headquarters, add staff
On April 23, HBF International LLC and its grower partner, Hurst’s Berry Farm Inc., opened the offices of their new headquarters in McMinnville, Ore., said Doug Perkins, HBF managing partner.
The companies had been based in Sheridan, Ore.
Perkins said HBF recently hired Will Ratto and Todd Loyd as salesmen. Before joining HBF, Ratto worked in marketing and sales for Brooks, Ore.-based Curry & Co. Perkins said that Loyd is new to the produce industry.
In addition to blueberries, raspberries and blackberries, HBF markets red currants and gooseberries in the summer.
Perkins said he expects Oregon-grown red currants to be available from late June through August. Gooseberries are expected to be available from June through July.
The Oppenheimer Group to promote juice tie-ins
Vancouver, British Columbia-based The Oppenheimer Group, markets summer blueberries from North Carolina, New Jersey and British Columbia under the Ocean Spray label.
This year, Oppenheimer expects to promote blueberries through tie-ins with Ocean Spray’s blueberry juices, said Nolan Quinn, berry category director.
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