Florida strawberry business updates
Florida Strawberry Growers Association announces staffing changes
The Florida Strawberry Growers Association, Plant City, Florida, has welcomed Brianne Reichenbach as its new member services and community relations director, effective November 1.
FSGA has also named Tiffany Dale, former member services and community relations director, to her new role as the association’s business administration and finance director.
The association has also expanded its availability to its membership through the construction of a 40’ by 84’ outdoor pavilion to hold events, help facilitate facility tours and accommodate industry guests.
Gem-Pack using Active Cool packaging
GEM-Pack Berries, Irvine, California, is now using Active Cool from Direct Pack for its strawberry packaging to increase sustainability and pass on cost and freshness advantages throughout the supply chain, said Michelle Deleissegues, director of marketing. The new packaging touts a 100% recyclable BOPP label, 37% faster cooling times and decreases in weight and dimensional sizes that translate to freight, corrugate and labor savings. Overall, these features result in a lower carbon footprint.
Pineberries coming to market
Wish Farms, based in Plant City, Florida, has close to 100 acres of pineberries in production this year. The company has been trialing these berries for a few years and has now increased to full-scale production.
The berries have white and pink coloring with red seeds and citrus flavor notes, and the company is marketing them under the Pink-A-Boo brand in single-layer clamshell packaging.
Amber Maloney, director of marketing at Wish Farms, said this is the first time they can recall of bringing something visually different to the market, which she said is bound to drive consumer interest.
“We are always looking for the next big sweet thing,” said Wish Farms owner Gary Wishnatzki. Astin Strawberry Exchange, also based in Plant City, Florida, has 22 acres of pineberries this year as they seek to be more diverse in their offerings, said Shawn Pollard in sales. Additionally, Pollard said they have a couple California varieties they hope will give them quality fruit later in the season.
