Driscoll’s promotes raspberries, blackberries for holidays

More blackberries and raspberries will be available from Driscoll’s for the holiday season.

The late fall is a second peak production period for the fruit, which is grown in California and Mexico, according to a news release.

“Similar to raspberries, blackberries also experience one of the highest volume periods during the holiday time frame, which presents a unique opportunity for retailers and their shoppers,” Annie Duner, Driscoll’s blackberry product marketer, said in the release.

Across the industry, those categories have been increasing significantly in the last five years, each up more than 50%. Annual household penetration of blackberries and raspberries is also up more than 40% over the same period, according to Driscoll’s.

Duner noted in the release that the company sees more consumers including blackberries in their holiday meals.

To encourage more such activity, Driscoll’s has partnered with bloggers to create recipes that use raspberries or blackberries, including Quick-and-Easy Blackberry Cobbler; Cranberry, Raspberry and Maple Sauce; Raspberry and Beet Chevre; and Blackberry Hot Toddy.

As part of the continuing #BerryTogether marketing campaign, consumers who post photos of themselves with Driscoll’s berries and the hashtags #BerryTogether and #sweepstakes will be entered to win a grand prize of a KitchenAid mixer, berries for a year, and a baking set.