Latest News From Blueberries

Homegrown Organic rebrand includes new logo and packaging

Homegrown Organic Farms, Porterville, Calif., has rebranded, with a new logo and packaging design.

USDA considers new protocols for some Chilean blueberries

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is considering new protocols on imported blueberries from two growing regions of Chile, in place of mandatory methyl bromide fumigation.

International blueberry summit rescheduled for 2021

The International Blueberry Organization’s 2020 Summit joins the list of events rescheduled for 2021 because of the global pandemic.

Berry People adds positions, moves to larger offices

Berry People is in growth mode, hiring people and moving to a larger office in Hollister to accommodate the new sales and administrative teams.

Crystal Valley Foods remodels warehouse
Crystal Valley Foods remodels warehouse

Miami-based Crystal Valley Foods finished remodeling its Miami warehouse. 

California Giant invites retail and foodservice chefs to compete
California Giant invites retail and foodservice chefs to compete

Expect a new theme, new location and new guidelines at the 3rd Annual Chef Invitational July 19-22, hosted by California Giant Berry Farms, Watsonville, Calif.

North American Produce adds blueberries
North American Produce adds blueberries

North American Produce Buyers Ltd. at the Ontario Food Terminal in Toronto will have a blueberry program this year, said Stephan Schmekel, executive vice president of sales and marketing.

Produce Lovers opens blueberry facility
Produce Lovers opens blueberry facility

Produce Lovers, a Mexican grower and distributor, recently celebrated the grand opening of its blueberry facility in Tala, Jalisco, Mexico.

Tomra showcases equipment upgrades at Fruit Logistica
Tomra showcases equipment upgrades at Fruit Logistica

Tomra and its subsidiaries Tomra Food, Compac and BBC Technologies were busy at the Fruit Logistica exposition, showcasing new equipment at the international show.

T&G Global to bring new blueberries to U.S., other markets

New Zealand’s T&G Global fruit company has entered into an agreement that will bring larger blueberries to export markets.

Naturipe Farms features organic blueberries for FeBLUEary campaign
Naturipe Farms features organic blueberries for FeBLUEary campaign

Record volume of both organic and conventional blueberries is the highlight of the FeBLUEary campaign Naturipe Farms, Salinas, Calif.

U.S., other berry groups make sustainable packaging pledge

Berry growers and trade associations in the U.S., Mexico and South America are pledging to use 100% recycle-ready packaging for all fresh berries by 2025.

Naturipe predicts large blueberry crops this year

Naturipe Farms has big plans for blueberries this year, with expectations of the U.S. fresh blueberry market growing an estimated 15% to 20%.

Promising trade gains, U.S. signs phase one trade agreement with China

The phase one trade agreement signed by the U.S. and China Jan. 15 will deliver potential trade gains for U.S. growers of potatoes, blueberries, avocados, and other crops.

Season’s first shipment of Chilean fruit hits West Coast
Season’s first shipment of Chilean fruit hits West Coast

Twelve days after leaving a Chilean port, the country’s first break bulk fruit shipment has reached the West Coast.

American Grown campaign seeks relief through consumer support
American Grown campaign seeks relief through consumer support

In the wake of trade deals that have left some U.S. produce growers unhappy about an influx of imported fruits and vegetables, the new American Grown campaign is taking its message to consumers instead of lawmakers.

Crystal Valley adds Superior Berries from Georgia

Crystal Valley Foods, Miami will be shipping blueberries grown in Georgia through a partnership with Superior Berries, Fargo, Ga.

Naturipe promotes Jim Roberts to president of sales

Naturipe Farms, Salinas, Calif., has promoted Jim Roberts to president of sales, a new position at the company.

Naturipe rings in Year of the Blueberry
Naturipe rings in Year of the Blueberry

Naturipe Farms, Salinas, Calif., is wishing consumers a Happy Blue Year in 2020, the Year of the Blueberry.

Chilean Fresh Fruit launches  “Super Fruit Bowl” campaign
Chilean Fresh Fruit launches “Super Fruit Bowl” campaign

A promotional campaign for Chilean fruit called the “Super Fruit Bowl” is lining up with the National Football League’s Super Bowl.

USDA announces appointments to the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has appointed 13 members and 11 alternate members to serve on the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council.

New survey shows blueberries are No. 1 recommended fruit

A survey of about 200 U.S.-based registered dietitians by the Folsom, Calif.-based U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council reveals that 86% of those polled said they recommend blueberries frequently or always.

Florida fruit and vegetable varieties recognized 
Florida fruit and vegetable varieties recognized 

The University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences has recognized standout fruit and vegetable varieties introduced this year.

USDA funds growth of Hazel Tech product for berries

Hazel Technologies has received a $100,000 grant from the USDA to further develop its Endure packaging insert to prolong fresh produce shelf life, with a focus on berries.

Sterling-Rice Group tabbed to lead blueberry council foodservice work

The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council has contracted with the Sterling-Rice Group to lead its integrated foodservice marketing and promotional activities for the council and the blueberry industry.

Chilean Blueberry Committee names Felipe Silva president
Chilean Blueberry Committee names Felipe Silva president

Felipe Silva, general manager of Zurgroup, is the Chilean Blueberry Committee’s new president.

Produce Lovers’ Mexican blueberry facility almost ready
Produce Lovers’ Mexican blueberry facility almost ready

Produce Lovers, a vertically-integrated grower that ships blueberries from the Mexican state of Jalisco, is shipping conventional and organic berries through mid-June.

Florida crops survive hurricanes; citrus up from 2018
Florida crops survive hurricanes; citrus up from 2018

Hurricanes this year have not caused any major disruptions to Florida crops and actually provided some needed rain, said Mindy Lee, bureau chief at Tallahassee-based Fresh From Florida.

Blueberry groups hire Alicia Adler as vice president

The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council and North American Blueberry Council have hired Alicia Adler as vice president.

Rabobank anticipates bigger volume to soften blueberry prices
Rabobank anticipates bigger volume to soften blueberry prices

New research from Rabobank indicates increasing supplies of imported blueberries will weaken prices in 2019-20, particularly in the spring and fall seasons.

Janice Honigberg, president of Sun Belle,   Schiller Park, Ill. displays cranberries and pomegranate arils at the Produce Marketing Association's Fresh Summit expo.
Sun Belle promotes organic and biodynamic certified berries

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Schiller Park, Ill.-based Sun Belle is promoting organic and biodynamic cranberries and blueberries this fall, along with a wide variety of other berry offerings.

Mastronardi’s Wow berries win best promo award at Fresh Summit

Mastronardi Produce, Kingsville, Ontario, was recognized as having the Best Overall Product Promo at the Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit for Wow berries.

Consalo partners with Mexican blueberry grower BlueDrop
Consalo partners with Mexican blueberry grower BlueDrop

Blueberry grower Consalo Family Farms, Egg Harbor City, N.J., has formed a growing, marketing and distribution partnership with BlueDrop, Jalisco, Mexico.

Unitec celebrates success of the past year at Fresh Summit
Unitec celebrates success of the past year at Fresh Summit

Sorting equipment manufacturer Unitec Group has a lot to talk about since exhibiting at the 2018 Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit.

Driscoll’s takes AgWater Challenge
Driscoll’s takes AgWater Challenge

Watsonville, Calif.-based Driscoll’s is participating in the Ceres/ World Wildlife Fund AgWater Challenge.

North Bay Produce releases dried fruit lines

Traverse City, Mich.-based North Bay Produce Inc. has added dried fruits to its offerings.

Wish Farms app brings Misty the Garden Pixie to life

Wish Farms, Plant City, Fla., has a smartphone app that brings new labels on its berry packs to life with augmented reality.

Driscoll’s launches Sweetest Batch Blueberries
Driscoll’s launches Sweetest Batch Blueberries

Driscoll’s has launched Sweetest Batch Blueberries — the newest addition to its limited edition collection.

Mexico’s Agrizar supplies Mastronardi BerryWorld America
Mexico’s Agrizar supplies Mastronardi BerryWorld America

Mexican fruit and vegetable grower Agrizar is growing berries exclusively for Mastronardi BerryWord America.

Chilean blueberry production expected to rise
Chilean blueberry production expected to rise

Chilean fresh blueberry exports are expected to increase 4% from last season to this season, reaching 115,000 tons.

Berry People adds sources for year-round supplies

Berry People, Hollister, Calif., has a new source of Mexican berries to fill gaps in the fall and winter.

Alpine Fresh launches rebrand and new logo
Alpine Fresh launches rebrand and new logo

Alpine Fresh, Miami, is launching a new brand and redesigned logo that will appear on the company’s labels and packaging.

U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement stops tariffs on some produce

Japan has agreed to eliminate tariffs on a number of U.S. exports, including almonds, blueberries and sweet corn.

Wish Farms celebrates Generations of Sweetness
Wish Farms celebrates Generations of Sweetness

Berry grower-marketer Wish Farms, Plant City, Fla., has a new tagline: Generations of Sweetness.

North Bay Produce grant allows sustainable blueberry packaging

North Bay Produce Inc., Traverse City, Mich., is focusing on sustainability with a grant that will allow it to purchase compostable packaging equipment for blueberries.

International blueberry summit set in Peru in 2020

Peru has been chosen to host the 2020 International Blueberry Organization Summit.

New Naturipe Snacks feature fruit, nuts, cheese

Naturipe’s new snacks feature berries, grapes, nuts and cheese, focusing on health and convenience.

Always Fresh Farms, Giddings Fruit partner for year-round berries
Always Fresh Farms, Giddings Fruit partner for year-round berries

Berry grower-shipper Always Fresh Farms, Winter Haven, Fla., has entered into a long-term partnership with Giddings Fruit S.A., a berry and cherry grower in Mexico and South America.

Sun Belle expands berry grower relationships
Sun Belle expands berry grower relationships

Sun Belle Inc., Shiller Park, Ill., is expanding relationships with growers following a decision by the Giddings Group, which supplies berries from Mexico and Chile, to market its own berries.

New Jersey ag official touts blueberry safety
New Jersey ag official touts blueberry safety

Douglas H. Fisher, New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture, released a statement in response to an Aug. 8 article from The Philadelphia Inquirer about labor housing conditions at blueberry farms.