Latest News From Blueberries

(CORRECTED) Naturipe Farms, Salinas, Calif., has value-added blueberry foodservice packs that promise contact-free production in the kitchen, longer shelf life and other benefits.

Fresh produce dollar sales for the biggest holiday week of the summer totaled $1.54 billion, up 9% from 2019.

Homegrown Organic Farms has received Bee Better certification for Oregon blueberries.

This month's berry news and insights brought to you by The Packer and Produce Market Guide.

(UPDATED) Apples and potatoes are among the crops now eligible for direct payments to growers for sales losses in the $2.1 billion in Coronavirus Food Assistance Program funds for specialty crops.

A new Washington organic blueberry company is marketing its first fresh crop.

U.S. imports of fresh fruits in May were down 10.4% compared with a year ago, while fresh vegetable imports jumped 17%, according to newly released statistics.

Blazer Wilkinson, Salinas, Calif., which grows and ships conventional and organic strawberries under the Foxy brand, is adding blueberries to the program.

Blueberry breeder Fall Creek Farm & Nursery Inc., Lowell, Ore., has hired Alberto Medina-Mora as regional director for Mexico.

The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council is rolling out plans to celebrate and promote blueberries throughout July, which is National Blueberry Month. 

Homegrown Organic Farms is partnering with Valles del Sur, a Chilean grower, to import organic blueberries.

California Giant Berry Farms is starting summer blueberry season with strong volumes in the Pacific Northwest.

Naturipe Farms, Salinas, Calif., which has undertaken a commitment to sustainable packaging, plans to remove 48 metric tons of plastic from its packaging in 2020.

Blueberries continue to attract a strong following in the U.S. They’ve shown the third-highest rate of growth in the fruit category, after raspberries and blackberries.

The Oppenheimer Group’s shipments of Ocean Spray brand blueberries are picking up as National Blueberry Month promotions begin in July.

Florida Classic Growers, Dundee, Fla., has a new partnership with three citrus groups that will expand its product offerings and increase distribution of citrus marketed under the company’s label.

California Giant Berry Farms’ Third Annual Chef Invitational is moving online and add a philanthropic component, giving non-profits the ability to win cash prizes.

A fruitful season should be in store for the summer berry categories, as grower-shippers report ample supplies of good-quality fruit.

A lingering cold and rainy season had grower-shippers in Michigan waiting a little longer than normal this year to get their summer deals going.

Connecting with attendees and social media followers, Yakima, Wash.-based Superfresh Growers will offer an Instagram Live video featuring blueberries or cherries each day of United Fresh LIVE!

Naturipe Farms, Salinas, Calif., is unveiling a revamped Naturipe Snacks line-up at United Fresh Live!, with Boost Bentos and Bliss Bentos.

The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council has launched a podcast, “The Business of Blueberries,” aiming to bring the blueberry industry together.

Bridges Produce, Portland, Ore., is starting seasons for cherries and blueberries .

Awe Sum Organics, Santa Cruz, Calif., expects to have Pacific Northwest blueberries starting June 22. 

Led by grapes, avocados and berries, U.S. imports of fruits and vegetables rose 6% from May 2019 through April, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture trade statistics.

Domex Superfresh Growers and Norris Farms are preparing for Northwest blueberry season.

This information, provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service, shows week-by-week shipments and f.o.b.s for commodities from shipments for the fresh market.

Fruits that can be eaten out of hand continue to reign in the realm of produce snacking, according to the newest FreshFacts on Retail report from the United Fresh Produce Association.

The United Fresh Produce Association examines in its latest FreshFacts on Retail report how COVID-19 has affected first-quarter produce sales.

The latest data from IRI show that fresh produce sales have stayed at higher-than-usual levels, though not quite as high as in previous weeks.

Looking for ways to draw shopper eyeballs to blueberries for a few extra seconds? Of course you are! These are a few suggestions for blueberry fun facts to sweeten your point-of-sale materials.

Rainier Fruit Co. is on track to earn Bee Better certification for Washington blueberries in July 2020.

Blueberry grower Critchley Family Farms, Kingsburg, Calif., is celebrating the Year of the Blueberry with a consumer contest.

U.S. blueberries grown in 11 states and California avocados now have access to the Chinese market as a result of the U.S.-China Phase One Economic and Trade Agreement.

This information, provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service, shows week-by-week shipments and f.o.b.s for commodities from shipments for the fresh market.

Retail sales data for the last five years demonstrate that consumers cannot get enough of blueberries. As shopper interest has continued to rise, the industry has expanded production in an effort to keep up.

Fresh produce dollar sales growth has exceeded 17% in back-to-back weeks, leveling out for the first time since the start of the coronavirus pandemic in the U.S.

A relentless curiosity drives Janis McIntosh, director of marketing innovation and sustainability for Salinas, Calif.-based Naturipe Farms.

California Giant Berry Farms, Watsonville, Calif., is blockchain compliant with the IBM Food Trust, allowing all points of the company’s berry supply chain to access data.

Berry grower Wish Farms, Plant City, Fla., is encouraging consumers to support their local Florida businesses affected by the pandemic.

North American berry grower-shippers are responding to consumer and retailer pressure to reduce or eliminate single-use plastic.

North Bay Produce Inc. was established as Wilderness Fresh Produce in 1984, its primary focus was Michigan apples, said Brian Klumpp, director of marketing and strategic development.

HBF International LLC, Sheridan, Ore., has hired a new member for its sales team, said CEO Doug Perkins.

High yields and good flavor seem to be the characteristics grower-shippers look for most when selecting a strawberry variety.

From healthy recipes to supply chain solutions, the fresh produce industry is adjusting to cater to consumers and the industry during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Twin River Berries, Portland, Ore., has launched new branding across its berry line.

Whether retailers and consumers are looking for strawberries, blueberries, blackberries or raspberries, they’ll be able to find them this summer, and they should be pleased with the quality, grower-shippers say.

The blueberry industry launched its Blueberry Method national marketing campaign targeted at blueberry shoppers on April 15, according to a news release from the Folsom, Calif.-based U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council.

Oranges continued their hold on the top spot on PMG the week of April 6, but the rest of the top 5 shuffled slightly.

Kevin Murphy has joined the board of directors at Fall Creek Farm & Nursery Inc., Lowell, Ore.