Cranberries

Ocean Spray President, CEO Tom Hayes Announces Retirement

Mon, 22 Dec 2025 16:07:53 GMT

On Dec. 17, Tom Hayes, president and CEO of Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc., announced his retirement, which will be effective March 2, 2026.

“Tom joined Ocean Spray during a global pandemic, and from Day 1 brought veteran leadership and experience, a clear commitment to excellence and a new strategic direction that has us well-positioned for the next chapter at our company,” notes Peter Dhillon, chairman of the board. “More than just business performance, his legacy is the team he shaped — leaders and employees united in their commitment to the farmer-owners that make up this historic brand and cooperative.”

“Whether crafting new strategic direction, structuring for success, implementing new systems and business processes or even riding a skateboard to viral success, nothing has been more fulfilling during my time at Ocean Spray than building relationships with our outstanding team,” Hayes says. “The decision to retire is never easy, but I step down knowing this cooperative and brand are stronger than ever. It has been my honor and pleasure to have led this talented team and served the family farmers who remain the heart of Ocean Spray.”

Prior to joining Ocean Spray Hayes was already a recognized innovator and executive in the food industry for more than 30 years, leading some of the world’s most well-known brands, including Tyson Foods, Hillshire Brands, Sara Lee, Conagra and Kraft Foods. He currently sits on the boards of Maple Leaf Foods and Basic American Foods.

The cooperative has begun a comprehensive search for its next leader, Ocean Spray says. Hayes will remain in an advisory capacity to the Ocean Spray board of directors until a successor is named.

Cranberry juice joins the Squeezed Juice offerings

Tue, 22 Apr 2025 16:27:51 GMT

Trinity Fruit Company announced the newest flavor to its Squeezed Juice brand lineup — cranberry — on April 21. The new refrigerated cranberry juice is a blend of 100% pomegranate juice and cranberry juice with no added sugar, artificial flavors or added water and is never from concentrate, according to the company. The new flavor is now available in 7- and 11-fluid-ounce single-serve bottles, as well as 32-fluid-ounce multiserve bottles.

“As our team continues its mission to eliminate food waste at the source, we’re excited to introduce new flavors that offer a healthy, no-added-sugar alternative,” David White, president of Trinity Fruit Company, said in a news release.

“Creating the cranberry flavor was deeply personal — it honors the daily ritual I shared with my grandfather growing up, when we’d enjoy a glass of cranberry juice,” White said. “By incorporating our core commodities, we build a strong foundation to support national growth.”

Angela Hernandez, vice president of marketing for Trinity, added: “We’re always thrilled when our team gets to celebrate a win — and for us, a win is when we see our vision come to life. This is one of those moments, and we couldn’t be more excited to share it with the world!”

Ocean Spray makes COO promotion

Thu, 06 Mar 2025 15:16:08 GMT

Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc. has promoted Monisha Dabek to chief operating officer.

Dabek will lead management of the agricultural cooperative’s USA Commercial business; global branded and ingredients commercial business; supply chain; and research, development and sustainability teams.

“Ocean Spray is ushering in a new era for our historic cooperative, delivering modernized internal processes, technological advancements and P&L management that will drive improved efficiency across our organization,” Ocean Spray President and CEO Tom Hayes said in a news release. “Monisha is an accomplished, driven and creative leader in the CPG industry who has achieved clear results for our members. Taking the helm in this newly consolidated organization, she will lead the strategy and execution of our business operations end-to-end.”

Since March 2021, Dabek has served as Ocean Spray’s chief commercial officer and general manager for the U.S. In that role, she led sales, marketing, innovation, insights, revenue management and demand planning teams as the owner of the P&L for the cooperative’s U.S. region.

During her tenure, Dabek led a comprehensive brand and portfolio renewal, launched the “Just Add Cran” campaign, rebuilt the innovation pipeline, launched the Zero Sugar platform and entered into a ready-to-drink collaboration with Absolut Vodka, the release said. Additionally, she led the sales and insights organizations through a challenging COVID-19 pandemic period that created supply and inflationary headwinds for the cooperative. She has driven both top- and bottom-line growth, with more U.S. consumers using Ocean Spray products than ever before, the cooperative said.

“With the strength of our global brand and commercial strategies, coupled with our expansive supply chain and superior research and development efforts, we will collectively launch this historic cooperative into its next 100 years,” Dabek said. “Working on behalf of family farms is what sets Ocean Spray apart. It is incredibly rewarding to lead at an organization driven by such a strong purpose, and I am thrilled to bring our end-to-end value chain together in our drive to deliver strong returns for our farmer-owners in both the short- and long-term.”

Prior to Ocean Spray, Dabek was with Danone, with roles centered in the Sales and Brand marketing organizations, spanning leadership positions in Plant Based Food & Beverage (Silk, SoDelicious) and launching the successful multi-serve cold brew coffee brand Stok. She has also held sales, strategy, and other leadership positions with known industry leaders, including WhiteWave Foods, PepsiCo and Accenture.

“Monisha has done an excellent job leading the USA Commercial team at Ocean Spray, and we are confident in her experience, capability and passion to lead our business operations globally,” said Peter Dhillon, Ocean Spray board chairman.

India slashes tariffs on blueberries, cranberries and other U.S. ag exports

Wed, 13 Sep 2023 17:42:53 GMT

In the latest sign that trade ties between the U.S. and India are strengthening, tariffs to India have recently been cut for key U.S. commodities. This includes fresh, frozen and dried blueberries and cranberries, along with pulses, meat and poultry agricultural products.

The development, synced with the G20 summit in New Delhi, follows the lifting of India’s retaliatory tariffs on U.S. apples, chickpeas, lentils, almonds and walnuts that was announced earlier this summer that took effect this week, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a statement.

“Under the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA and [the Office of U.S. Trade Representative] have focused on rebuilding trust and strengthening relationships with our global trading partners, including India, and working through the World Trade Organization and other venues to ensure that those partners live up to their obligations so that U.S. agriculture has full and fair access to key export markets,” Vilsack said.

This resolution follows earlier trade breakthroughs between the U.S. and India in June in which India agreed to reduce tariffs on U.S. products that included apples, walnuts and almonds. Both trade deals work towards a resolution of the WTO’s long-standing poultry dispute, according to the Office of U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai.

Related news: USTR announces repeal of India’s tariff on U.S. apples, walnuts

“Resolving this last outstanding WTO dispute represents an important milestone in the U.S.-India trade relationship, while reducing tariffs on certain U.S. products enhances crucial market access for American agricultural producers,” Tai said in a news release. “These announcements, combined with Prime Minister Modi’s State Visit in June and President Biden’s trip to New Delhi this week, underscores the strength of our bilateral partnership.”

The North American Blueberry Council praised the recent announcement, viewing the U.S. trade effort milestone as the culmination of work and investment many years in the making.

“We applaud the Biden Administration for their work to strengthen U.S. trade relations with India. India is a key market for U.S. blueberry producers, and we welcome the opportunity to bring more blueberries to Indian consumers,” North American Blueberry Council President Kasey Cronquist said in a statement.

“The U.S. has long faced a 30% tariff in India, which has resulted in declining market share for American blueberries against countries that have enjoyed free trade and reduced tariffs with India,” Cronquist said. “The reduction in tariffs for U.S. blueberries will put American producers at a more level playing field with our competitors.”

Growers on the West Coast were the early drivers in bringing U.S. blueberries to India, she said.

“In 2017, the Washington Blueberry Commission secured a Specialty Crop Block Grant that laid important groundwork for what became an industrywide effort to lower the tariff in India,” Cronquist said. “I commend the WBC and all of our state organization partners for their leadership in developing the market for blueberries in India and for their continued partnership on this effort.”

The cranberry industry also joined in celebrating last week’s announcement from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative that India will reduce tariffs on U.S. fresh, frozen, dried, and processed cranberry products, according to a statement from the Cranberry Marketing Committee.

“This is an important achievement and one that will support U.S. cranberry growers and handlers across rural America to meet the growing demand in India for high quality U.S. cranberry products. Since the Cranberry Marketing Committee’s promotional efforts began in India in 2017, exports to the market have grown from $1.6 million to $8.6 million,” said the statement.

With tariffs reduced, U.S. cranberries will be more accessible to Indian trade and consumers in the years to come, said the statement.

Pest-killing nematodes offer an insecticide alternative for cranberry growers

Thu, 29 Dec 2022 16:29:32 GMT

If the thought of cranberries evokes images of holiday tables and warming winter sauces and drinks, it’s for a good reason. The bright red berry is a fall and winter seasonal favorite, with about 20% of U.S. cranberries consumed at Thanksgiving alone, according to the USDA.

Growing these ruby red berries in cranberry bogs, however, is a uniquely challenging endeavor. Cranberries are grown in a unique freshwater wetland, with the fruit maturing on cranberry vines, or runners, on a mat-like top layer of the bog’s surface.

The wet, marshy conditions of a cranberry bog present a breeding ground ripe for pests.

To combat the beetles and fruit worms that attack cranberry crops, according to the USDA Agricultural Research Service, many cranberry growers rely on chemical insecticides, with atypical insecticide treatment costing up to $100 per acre.

ARS researchers Shawn Steffan and David I. Shapiro-Ilan are working to introduce some nonchemical alternatives to control cranberry bog pests.

“Many cranberry growers are very interested in having new tools to control pests, especially tools that can reduce their use of pesticides,” Steffan, at ARS’ Vegetable Crops Research Unit in Madison, Wis., said in a news release.

One possible pesticide alternative? Two nematodes native to Wisconsin that show signs that they can effectively control cranberry pests.

A mighty, pest-killing worm

Over the past three years, Steffan discovered that a previously identified nematode found in Wisconsin soils offers tremendous potential as a biocontrol agent. It kills several major cranberry pests, including the dreaded red-headed flea beetle and the sparganothis fruit worm (also known as Sparg) in less than 72 hours, according to the release.

Steffan has found that when several species of nematodes are applied to the soil and watered, they appear to be just as effective at controlling cranberry pests as two insecticide applications.

This is welcome news in Wisconsin, where growing cranberries — the official state fruit — are a $1 billion industry. The state produces more than 60% of the U.S. cranberry supply, according to the release.

Deploying nematodes in U.S. cranberry bogs

Additional studies are planned, but preliminary results show that the two nematodes should be effective in cranberry production throughout the U.S. and could be useful in controlling pests among blueberries and other crops, Steffan said in the release.

They wouldn’t be the first nematodes used as biocontrols. Dozens of nematode species attack insect pests, and 12 types of them are now used in commercial products to control thrips, citrus weevils, black vine weevils, borers and other pests, according to Shapiro-Ilan, an ARS entomologist with the Southeastern Fruit and Tree Nut Research Laboratory in Byron, Ga.

“Most of these nematodes can kill a wide range of insect pests, but they won’t hurt plants, people, or the environment,” Shapiro-Ilan said in the release.

What’s more, nematodes don’t pose threat to ladybugs, honeybees or other beneficial insects.

Steffan and Shapiro-Ilan are developing an inexpensive, portable production system that cranberry growers could use to mass produce nematodes so they can apply them with the same equipment they now use to spray insecticides, according to the release.

Ocean Spray puts cranberries front and center this holiday

Wed, 19 Oct 2022 13:23:30 GMT

Who says a turkey belongs at the center of the holiday table? This fall, Ocean Spray Cranberries makes the case that bright red, canned cranberry sauce deserves the spotlight. The agricultural cooperative made up of 700 growers in the U.S., Canada and Chile has launched its 2022 holiday campaign with canned cranberries the focus of a reimagined holiday table. A departure from previous campaigns, fresh and dried cranberries along with cranberry juice make room for the canned Americana staple to take center stage.

Arguing that canned cranberries will “power your holidays” and belong at the center of the holiday table, not relegated to a side dish, Ocean Spray’s campaign leans in to the unique, gelatinous qualities of canned cranberries. TV and digital ads are light-hearted, creative departures from the traditional holiday script and feature an original track from Mack Goudy Jr. of the electronic dance group, The Detroit Grand Pubahs.

“Cranberries have provided the punch on holiday tables for centuries and we want people to see with new eyes, the power within the cranberry that we and our growers know so well,” Dan Hamilton, head of marketing at Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc. said in a news release. “We hope people will feel the joy from Ocean Spray this holiday season. What better way to do that than the joy of watching the iconic jiggle of our jellied cranberry sauce?”

The TV campaign spot depicts a tense, bored family sitting together in a formal dining room for a holiday dinner. The father comes into the room from the kitchen, and places three wiggling, jiggling logs of jellied cranberry sauce at the center of the table. As the logs of cranberry sauce wiggle, the family is transfixed. They each begin to mirror the jelly, wiggling just as the jelly does. Soon, the whole table erupts, and what was once a boring dinner is now a full-out party with electronic dance music thrumming in the background. The original song and extended version will be available on Spotify this month, according to the release.

“There’s something hypnotic and captivating about watching jelly jiggle. It’s hard to be mad when you see it. We took that truth and followed it to its illogical conclusion.” David Kolbusz, CCO of Orchard Creative, said in the release.

The campaign features TV & digital spots with original music and will launched this fall across the U.S. within streaming video platforms, across social media, and custom media partnerships, including Vox. Social and digital extensions of the campaign aim to invite shoppers to jiggle with Ocean Spray this holiday season, according to the release.

From bog to market: The Massachusetts cranberry industry

Tue, 01 Oct 2024 17:50:24 GMT

The Massachusetts cranberry industry is steeped in rich history, dating back over two centuries, and today it remains a vital part of the state’s agricultural economy. As one of the top cranberry-producing regions in the world, Massachusetts is home to sprawling bogs that offer both beauty and bounty.

Built on Native American harvesting traditions, Massachusetts cranberry farming dates back to the early 1800s. Over the years, the industry has grown, bringing cranberries into households worldwide.

A unique ecosystem

The cranberry bogs are ecosystems that play an important role in both agriculture and the environment. Whether naturally occurring or constructed, these bogs provide the ideal growing conditions for cranberries.

According to Massachusetts Cranberries , “Tens of thousands of years ago, receding glaciers carved out cavities in the land that evolved into cranberry bogs. Newly formed kettle ponds filled with sand, clay and debris formed the perfect environment for vines to spread across the South Shore, Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. Massachusetts was born with cranberry bogs. For two hundred years, it has been where tradition has met innovation.”

The organization says cranberries are the region’s largest agricultural food crop, and vital to the local economy, contributing more than 6,400 jobs and $1.7 billion to the commonwealth annually.

“In the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 300-plus statewide growers have navigated a challenging industry over the last decade. Growers have been challenged by issues that span multi-generation family farms — from agricultural sustainability, the limited education opportunities to foster careers in agricultural fields, to attracting new farmers, to climate concerns, carrying the responsibility for technology improvements by self-innovating their farming equipment advances, etc.,” the organization says.

Massachusetts cranberries

When it’s time for harvesting, it’s all about the deep red color, says Brian Wick, executive director for Cape Cod Cranberry Growers’ Association .

“What’s always been a determining factor for harvest is ‘when is it going to have enough color?’ The color determines when the cranberries are ready to harvest, and the red color is coming on pretty fast this year,” Wick said.

Fresh cranberries sold in the bag are only a small portion of production, with about 3-4% of farmers harvesting fresh cranberries, he said.

“But the rest of the cranberries? They are destined to be sweet and dried cranberries, cranberry juice and cranberry sauce. For those, we are moving more into the higher-yielding varieties. About 40% of the growers in Massachusetts have the traditional heirloom varieties of cranberries,” Wick said.

The Massachusetts climate lends well to cranberry production.

“Cranberries require fresh water, and they prefer an iron-rich source of water, which we have here,” Wick said. “That, and cranberries like the sandy soils we have here, along with the correct pH balances, and then they need to have a cold spell during their dormancy period to set fruit for the following year. Plus, we have the right temperatures here, giving us all the right, natural conditions to grow cranberries — and that’s why they continue to thrive here.”

Another advantage, Wick says, is location.

“We have the advantages of being on the East Coast,” he said. “Since about 30% of the North American cranberry market is exported, our location being close to Europe gives us some logistical advantages.

“Plus, cranberries are part of the fabric of southeastern Massachusetts,” Wick continued. “It’s synonymous to the area where cranberries are located. The bogs are tucked in here and there among the houses, and open spaces and cranberry bogs are intermingled in this area. So even if someone isn’t familiar with the industry, they can certainly drive by, see the bog and get excited for harvest as well. And seeing the harvest occur, so it’s just very much entrenched into the communities here in Massachusetts.”

Water conservation, organic farming and renewable energy initiatives also are at the forefront of the state’s cranberry operations, allowing the industry to balance productivity with environmental responsibility.

The Massachusetts cranberry industry.

(Photo courtesy of Massachusetts Cranberries)

Innovations in cranberry cultivation

The cranberry industry is deeply connected to tradition, and Massachusetts cranberry farmers embrace cutting-edge technology to optimize their harvests. From advanced irrigation systems to drones and data-driven farming practices, innovation is reshaping how cranberries are grown and harvested.

“The industry is moving toward these newer varieties that have been developed, and so our growers are starting to convert theirs in Massachusetts to these higher-yielding varieties,” Wick said.

“And if you contrast that to, say, Wisconsin or Quebec, those regions are almost 100% in the new varieties, so we’re catching up to those regions,” he added. “It takes many years to get production back, so it’s not a simple process. It’s capital intensive and will take five or six years to get full production out of the vines. But they will produce three or four times what the native varieties produce.”

Another innovation is the potential of agricultural drone usage.

“We’re starting to evaluate the use of large-scale drones that can apply fertilizers or pesticides. We’re still in the early stages of it, but we have some growers working on researching and studying it. I think it will be part of our future,” Wick said. “Particularly here in Massachusetts where we have smaller-sized bogs that have odd shapes to them, a drone might make sense for some of these growers as a way to get into precision agriculture where you can fine-tune your application.”

Opportunities for retailers

Cranberries have grown beyond juice and sauce. Today’s market demands year-round products from dried cranberries to health-focused snacks. Massachusetts farmers are diversifying their offerings to respond to consumer trends, opening new opportunities for marketing in the grocery store.

“Cranberries are very much a signature part of fall and how what people think about when they think about our native fruit,” Wick said. “So that will soon be hitting the store shelves, probably [in] October.”

With growing interest in local and sustainable products, retailers have unique opportunities to showcase cranberries year-round.

“For several years we’ve had challenges with the changing climate. September weather previously has been warm, warm nights, and that is not what brings on the red color,” Wick said. “This year we’ve had nights where the temperatures dropped in the bogs — down into the 30s even — and some warm sunny days, which is perfect for bringing on the red color.

“Because of this, it looks like this year’s harvest will be a little bit earlier than it has been,” he continued. “This is good, because when they need to wait for the color it can cause quality concerns. And, like, I said, the color should be good this year which, on the retail side, is always good because consumers are looking for that nice red color.”

USDA: Apple production rises, cranberry crop down

Wed, 16 Aug 2023 12:22:52 GMT

The USDA has forecast U.S. apple total production for 2023 at 9.91 billion pounds, up 1% from 2022.

In Washington state, better growing conditions are leading to an expected 9% increase in production from the previous year, according to the USDA’s August production report . Washington’s apple output is estimated at 6.7 billion pounds, up from 6.14 billion pounds last season.

In New York state, a mild winter that weakened the cold hardiness of the apple crop followed by a very warm spring has caused the expected production to be the lowest since 2012, according to the USDA. New York apple production is estimated at 1.1 billion pounds, down 19% from 1.355 billion pounds a year ago.

In Michigan, there were no widespread spring frost damage events, and July precipitation enhanced fruit sizing, according to the USDA. Michigan apple production is estimated by the USDA at 1.15 billion pounds, 15% less than 1.36 billion pounds in 2022.

Early-season variety harvesting has begun in southern Michigan, according to the report.

Cranberry crop down

The USDA also estimated the U.S. national cranberry crop for 2023 at 7.62 million barrels, down 5% from the 2022 crop year. In Wisconsin, the largest growing state, the USDA forecast production at 4.6 million barrels, down 5% from last year.

Production in Massachusetts, forecast at 2 million barrels, is down 12% from last year, the USDA said.

Cranberry growers experienced cold temperatures, with below-normal precipitation and above-normal snowfall during the winter months.

In Wisconsin and Massachusetts, the winter freeze and early snow affected plant dormancy and froze out buds, the release said.

In the spring and early summer months, numerous frosts and hailstorms occurred during the growing season.

Growers in some areas reported severe frost damage, resulting in reduced crop growth and yield loss, according to the USDA.

In Oregon, the crop faced threats from the intensive heat and extreme weather in late June and mid to late July, and growers are concerned about fruit size. With good management practices, cranberry growers expect a good to average season despite the challenging weather during the bloom period, the USDA said.

USDA says cranberry marketing order voted out

Thu, 17 Aug 2023 14:03:16 GMT

The USDA says that producers voting in a referendum on the federal marketing order for cranberries did not show enough support to continue the program.

The marketing order requires that USDA conduct a referendum on the marketing order every four years, according to a news release. The marketing order was favored by 26.5% of cranberry growers voting in the referendum and by 20.1% of the production volume voted in the referendum, the release said.

Either 50% support by number of voting producers or 50% of the volume of cranberries they represent was needed for the program and the Cranberry Marketing Committee to remain in place, the release said. The voting period was June 9-30 this year.

The committee locally administers the marketing order by conducting research and promotion activities on behalf of the U.S. cranberry industry. The marketing order, which was established in 1962, provides for the use of volume control in the form of producer allotments, handler withholdings or a combination of both, according to the release.

USDA will engage with committee staff on next steps and intends to provide the opportunity for cranberry producers, industry participants and the public to express their views on terminating the program during an upcoming public notice and comment period.

More information about the marketing order regulating the handling of cranberries grown in 10 states is available on the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service’s 929 Cranberry Marketing Committee webpage, the Marketing Orders and Agreements webpage or by contacting the Market Development Division at 202-720-8085.

Oppy and Ocean Spray celebrate 20 years of cranberry collaboration in U.S. market

Tue, 31 Oct 2023 20:53:22 GMT

Oppy and Ocean Spray marked two decades of partnership in the U.S. this year, delivering cranberries throughout North America while commanding majority market share throughout the fall and early winter, according to a news release.

The companies are seeing a healthy growing season throughout the Pacific Northwest and Wisconsin, with volume increases expected compared to last year, Oppy’s Category Manager and Senior Sales Representative Tony Illiano, who manages Oppy’s cranberry program with Ocean Spray, said in the release. Both regions have experienced good pollination and bud set which has translated into good sizing, according to the release.

With crop now shipping, Illiano said that this year’s U.S. Thanksgiving holiday — on Nov. 23 — is the earliest it’s been in five years.

“We highly recommend that retailers get their orders in promptly to capitalize on the brand status of Ocean Spray in their stores,” he said.

Thanksgiving isn’t the only holiday that will happen earlier than usual. “Friendsgiving” has become an emerging celebration trend, typically observed a week prior to traditional festivities, according to the release. Ocean Spray’s Senior Manager of Fresh and Natural Specialty Channel Brendan Schulke said in the release that Friendsgiving continues to become an integral and expanding aspect of its cranberry campaign.

“This year’s marketing campaign centers around injecting fun into festivities, with initiatives like new shipper units, TV and digital promotional support, brand collaborations, influencer marketing, events and virtual experiences,” he said. “Consumers have also been able to take advantage of shoppable recipes, instant giveaways, in-store POS with shelf talkers and tags, and social content.”

Ocean Spray is offering a top prize of $10,000 with its “Buy three, win big” promotion showcased on the front of each pack. Through purchase and receipt verification, shoppers can instantly win the jackpot or thousands of prizes, including gift cards for Uber, Spotify or Airbnb, according to the release.

“Oppy and Ocean Spray have been working together for more than 50 years — it’s really become an essential part of what powers our growth. Retailers take comfort in knowing they can trust both Ocean Spray and Oppy to bring exceptional quality to their customers — I believe our expertise in selling cranberries together is unmatched,” Schulke said.

“I am honored to continue our strong partnership for U.S. sales and distribution,” Illiano said. “It’s been such a successful collaboration that we’ve found new ways to work together outside of cranberries by growing into other premium products.”

With over 50 touch points at retail, Ocean Spray’s presence in the produce department has expanded significantly to include strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, citrus and grapes through its partnership with Oppy, the release said.

Ocean Spray Cranberries updates branding with 'uncommonly wild' look

Tue, 30 Jan 2024 18:53:00 GMT

Ocean Spray Cranberries has unveiled a brand refresh, the first in nearly two decades. The new branding vision is “wildly uncommon” to show the strength and tenacity of the Ocean Spray Cranberry brand, according to a news release.

The new look will reflects the grit and maverick nature of the co-op founders and the nearly 700 family farmers who grow for Ocean Spray today, the release said.

“This reimagining is as bold as our fruit and unapologetically ambitious as our founders,” Eliza Sadler, head of brand elevation for Ocean Spray, said in the release. “Through every touchpoint, we are focused on unleashing and fully leveraging the equity and strength of the Ocean Spray brand in a way that shepherds us into the next generation while remaining true to our legacy.”

The refreshed design will be rolled out across the brand’s products, including new Craisins dried cranberry products, the release said.

Related: Oppy and Ocean Spray celebrate 20 years of cranberry collaboration in U.S. market

Tom Hayes joins Ocean Spray as CEO, president

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:40:48 GMT

Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc. , Lakeville-Middleboro, Mass., has hired Tom Hayes as president and CEO.

Hayes, former president and CEO at Tyson Foods and chief supply chain officer at Hillshire Brands, most recently was a partner at Entrepreneurial Equity Partners, a private equity firm that invests in middle market companies in the food industry, according to a news release.

He also was a zone president at US Foods and senior vice president of sales and marketing-foodservice at ConAgra Foods.

“Ocean Spray is a unique company — one that asks its leaders to speak the language of consumers, farmers, grocers, bankers, manufacturers and employees all at once,” Peter Dhillon, Ocean Spray board of directors chairman, said in the release. “In Tom Hayes, we believe we have found a leader who can speak to all of these audiences and continue the transformation of this cooperative.”

Ocean Spray is owned by more than 700 cranberry growers in the U.S., Canada and Chile, according to the newsletter.

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Ocean Spray has new packaging for cranberry season

Wisconsin cranberry crop rated strong

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 18:06:23 GMT

The Wisconsin cranberry crop is looking good.

Bob Wilson, founding partner of Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.-based The Cranberry Network said in early September that the harvest would begin in the latter part of the month.

“We’re cautiously optimistic at this point that the crop is looking very solid, particularly in comparison with the last couple of seasons we have had,” Wilson said.

The Cranberry Network markets fruit from fourth-generation fresh cranberry grower Habelman Bros. Co., Tomah, Wis., and features the Habelman label and various private labels. Fruit is also packed under the Naturipe label.

Wilson said the marketer will begin shipping the week of Sept. 21, with harvest continuing in Wisconsin through October.

Fruit will be stored in 300-pound bulk bins and packed to order through Dec. 15 or Dec. 20, Wilson said.
Wisconsin cranberries are raised in south, center and northern growing regions, following the path of the long-ago glacial retreat through the center of the state. The southern growing region is near Tomah, with the center region near Wisconsin Rapids and the northern region near Wausau, Wis.

“There is a tremendous amount of sand base, a tremendous amount of available water and acidic soil; all of those components add up to be prime cranberry ground,” Wilson said.

Despite a slow start, the growing season featured more heat units and degree growing days. “We had a very on-time and good quality bloom period, good fruit set after bloom, and the temperatures in Wisconsin have been conducive to good sizing of the fruit that is set,” he said.

“We are looking forward to excellent quality and excellent quantity of fruit for the fresh season this year,” Wilson said.

Promotion opportunities

While only 3% of the total U.S. cranberry crop is shipped fresh, the bigger expected harvest this year will provide strong fresh market volume, Wilson said.

While last year’s fresh supply was limited because of a reduced crop, he said this year’s expected larger fruit will provide ample fresh cranberry supplies.

Provided late-season weather conditions don’t hurt the crop, Wilson predicted good volumes for promotion before Thanksgiving and even December Christmas promotions.

“I expect the quality to be excellent,” he said, noting expectations of thick-walled, long shelf-life fresh cranberries.

Wisconsin is a big factor in world cranberry output, accounting for about 55% of global supply, Wilson said.

COVID-19 Effect

Wilson said the COVID-19 pandemic has changed typical marketing and customer relations, ending tours of growing and packing facilities.

The outlook for cranberry demand could be helped by its reputation as a superfruit, Wilson said.

“During the second quarter of this year, the demand for cranberry (products) at the consumer level took a big jump because cranberries are considered to have a health halo,” he said.

“There is a tremendous health benefit to regular consumption (of) cranberries; we don’t see anything adverse on the horizon with respect to consumer demand for fresh cranberries,” he said.

Packaging evolutions

The most popular packaging option is the 12-ounce poly bag, Wilson said, which remains the low-cost efficient way to put cranberries on the market.

“Over the years, there were some really trying to push clamshell, but there is a bit bigger carbon footprint with that, so it’s more expensive,” Wilson said.

Organic fruit is offered in 8-ounce and 12-ounce bags.

With its colloboration with Naturipe, The Cranberry Network offers a 32-ounce (2-pound) grab-and-go preformed bag with a zipper seal.

“It has got a nice handle on it, so that’s been out for a couple of years and we see growth in demand for that type of packaging,” he said.

The volume of organic cranberries is still relatively small, but is gradually increasing with persistent demand from processors and the fresh market, he said.

The firm packs organic cranberries under its Habelman label, the Naturipe label and private labels mostly with poly bags, but also some clamshells and a grab-and-go bag.

The Packer’s Cranberries

Ocean Spray looks for more fresh cranberry volume

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 21:16:22 GMT

Middleboro, Mass-based Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc . expects to have more fresh fruit this year compared with 2019.

“We still have a long way to go and Mother Nature can be unpredictable, but right now we are optimistic that we will have more fresh fruit compared to last year’s volumes,” the company said in an e-mail report in mid-September.

Ocean Spray is a farmer-owned cooperative, owned by more than 700 cranberry farmers in the U.S., Canada and Chile.

Wisconsin is the largest producer of Ocean Spray cranberries, and the company exports to Europe and Asia.
About 5% of Ocean Spray’s cranberry crop is organic, according to the company.

“Organic is growing faster than non-organic, but still remains relatively small compared to the whole crop,” the company said in the update. “We do expect to see growth again this year in organic consumption.”

Some Ocean Spray growers expected to start harvesting by Sept. 16, according to the report.

“Canadian Thanksgiving is on Oct. 12 and we need to have enough of the crop harvested to meet the Canadian consumer demands,” the update said.

Ocean Spray fresh cranberry harvest should wrap up by early to mid-November.

Ocean Spray will continue to promote the health aspects of the cranberry, according to the update, and also will encourage consumers to buy two bags and freeze one.

Packaging will remain mostly centered on the 12-ounce bag, though Ocean Spay offers other package sizes to meet consumer needs.

The Packer’s Cranberry Coverage

The Packer’s Cranberry Marketing Coverage

Thanksgiving Staple Dish Heads for Compost Heap?

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:04:54 GMT

Cranberries might be a staple on Thanksgiving tables, but a glut of U.S. supplies has gotten so large that fruit could be headed to the compost pile.

Just as demand is hitting its seasonal peak, American processors are anxiously awaiting government approval that would allow them to turn excess fruit into fertilizer. The program would be the first of its kind for cranberries.
Supplies have piled up amid bountiful U.S. harvests and a surge in imports. Inventories were large enough to top consumption before farmers even started gathering this year’s crop in September. The overhang prompted growers and processors to vote in favor of the disposal program at a biannual meeting of the Cranberry Marketing Committee in August. The U.S. Department of Agriculture could rubber-stamp the proposal as early as this week.

“The order will allow the industry to get back into supply and demand balance,” said Kellyanne Dignan, the director of global cooperative communications at Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc., the largest U.S. producer and processor, and a name that’s become almost synonymous with the fruit.

The humble cranberry is iconic at this time of year as it pops up in everything from traditional relishes to Christmas cookies and cocktails. About 20 percent of annual sales of the fresh and processed fruit occurs during the week of Thanksgiving, celebrated on Nov. 23 this year. But becoming a celebrity of the fruit world hasn’t been enough to reverse the slowing pace of demand growth, leading the industry to take desperate measures to keep prices from collapsing.

Under the proposed initiative, fruit processors and exporters would be responsible for supply disposal. Some can be donated or used for research, but the lion’s share will likely end up as compost. The cranberry committee has also recommended that growers reduce next year’s production, leaving it 25 percent below average sales of the past six years, according to Michelle Hogan, executive director of the Wareham, Massachusetts-based group. The plan for next season is similar to a crop-reduction method last used in 2000 and 2001.

“We are producing a lot more than we are selling” Hogan said.

The cranberry is one of many agricultural products that are plagued by gluts, which has kept global food inflation in check. World grain stockpiles are ballooning and American meat production is at record levels. All the excess supply will help make this year’s U.S. Thanksgiving dinner the cheapest since 2013.

The disposal program would help to reverse the growth of excess supply while the industry works to increase demand in domestic and international markets, said Tom Lochner, executive director of the Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association . About 5 percent of the crop is sold as fresh fruit, with the rest stored and sold frozen, dried or processed into juices and sauces.

If the USDA approves the program, any handler that uses more than 125,000 barrels would be required to dispose of 15 percent of their supplies gathered from this year’s crop, Hogan of the Cranberry Marketing Committee said. A barrel weighs 100 pounds, or 45 kilograms.

U.S. Crop

A bout of bad weather could also help to ease the fruit glut. American production is projected to fall 6 percent this year to 5.6 million barrels after some adverse growing conditions, the government estimates.

Cranberries are native to North America with about 75 percent of global production grown in the U.S. Wisconsin accounts for more than half the domestic harvest.

Copyright 2017, Bloomberg News

USDA forecasts cranberry crop up 1%

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:09:49 GMT

The 2019 U.S. cranberry crop is up 1% compared to 2018, according to a new crop forecast from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

U.S. total cranberry production is forecast at 9.04 million (100-pound) barrels, up 1% from 8.93 million barrels in 2018, according to the forecast.

In Wisconsin, a cold, wet spring put the crop one to two weeks behind normal, but warmer temperatures in July helped the crop catch up, according to the report. Wisconsin is the top state for cranberry production, with 2019 output forecast at 5.6 million barrels, up about 1% from a year ago.

In Massachusetts, the report said some growers reported excessive moisture but production was pegged slightly above 2018. Massachusetts is the second ranked producer of cranberries, according to the USDA, with 2019 output of 2.3 million barrels, compared with 2.29 million barrels a year ago.

Related articles

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Sun Belle expands berry grower relationships

New Jersey crops even out after warm, cool spells

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 18:56:04 GMT

With the way the crops in New Jersey are going, you would hardly know there’s a pandemic.

“In June, we’ll be rolling strong,” said Bill Nardelli Jr., vice president of sales and marketing for Nardelli Bros. Inc ., Cedarville, N.J.

“Even with this whole COVID-19 pandemic we’ve been going through, we’ve stayed pretty steady.”

A mild winter gave way to a chilly spring in New Jersey, causing some growers to plant earlier than previous years but harvest at typical times.

“Mother Nature always has a way of evening things out,” Nardelli said.

Early crops show good size and quality, which is expected to continue as the Garden State’s summer and fall seasons unfold, said Joe Atchison, marketing and development director of the state’s Department of Agriculture, Trenton, N.J.

“While it is early in the season, the outlook is positive,” Atchison said.

Related content: Snapshot: NJ produce season through the eyes of Nardelli Bros.

The Vegetable Growers Association of New Jersey reported that a few farmers had a bit of a slowdown, but by May 20, they were back on track in the fields, agriculture commissioner Douglas Fisher said on a May 23 video for the Eastern Produce Council , New Providence, N.J.

Sweet corn was about two feet tall in southern Jersey, he said.

“There are tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, squash all coming along, as well as a large variety of greens, looking very fine and being harvested right now,” Fisher said in the video.

As May unwound and June kicks off, growers were finishing up asparagus and strawberries while still harvesting leafy greens, spinach and herbs. Squash, beans and cucumbers start in June and continue into July, when growers start with volumes of sweet corn, tomatoes, peaches, eggplant and peppers, among other specialty crops, Atchison said.

The New Jersey Peach Promotion Council reported that peaches should start about July 1, “and we’re expecting an excellent, healthy crop,” Fisher said in the video. An especially cold week in May helped the thinning process, so losses were minimal, according to the peach council.

BY THE NUMBERS

Some of New Jersey’s biggest specialty crops are blueberries, peppers, peaches, asparagus, cranberries, squash and spinach, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.

In 2019, the state harvested:

9,300 acres of (not wild) blueberries, yielding 5,090 pounds per acre for a total of 47.3 million pounds and $85.3 million value;
3,500 acres of bell peppers, yielding 33,600 pounds per acr to produce 117.6 million pounds, worth $45.9 million;
3,900 acres of peaches year, yielding 10,000 pounds an acre to produce 39 million pounds and a $25.7 million value;
2,000 acres of asparagus, yielding 3,584 pounds per acre, for a production of 7.2 million pounds, valued at $16.3 million;
2,700 acres of cranberries, yielding 196 barrels per acre for a production of 529,000 barrels and $14.5 million value;
3,200 acres of squash, yielding 10,080 pounds per acre for a total of 32.3 million pounds and a $13.7 million value; and
1,900 acres of spinach, yielding 13,440 per acre for a total of 25.5 million pounds and a $6.7 million value.

In June 2019 alone, New Jersey shipped 17.8 million pounds of blueberries, compared to 16.4 million pounds in June 2018, according to USDA’s annual Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Shipments report.

Peaches came next by weight, followed by nectarines and cranberries.

Related content: New Jersey produce news

FAMILY FARMS

After the unseasonably cool spring that delayed harvesting most crops seven to 10 days, the warming trend before Memorial Day should help Consalo Family Farms , Egg Harbor City, N.J., catch up on production.

That will “put all vegetable crops in full swing,” said Chelsea Consalo, vice president of produce. The Consalos also have a farm in Hammonton, a sales company, Freshwave Fruit and Produce, in Vineland, N.J., and farm partnerships nationwide.

Blueberries are at the front edge their season, which should run through July, Atchison said.

Consalo’s initial estimates were to begin harvesting the New Jersey blueberry crop June 3-5. Instead, because of the cooler weather, she expects to begin about June 13.

Meanwhile, Consalo Family Farms began harvesting cooking greens and herbs May 1 and romaine and leaf lettuce May 8.

“Even though the cool weather caused delays in harvest, it has resulted in outstanding quality on all of our items,” Consalo said.

Customers can expect a full line of New Jersey vegetables and blueberries during the spring, summer and fall with great sizing and quality, she said.

Nardelli Bros. also has farm partnerships elsewhere but grows more than 80 commodities during New Jersey’s season, said Nardelli, part of the fifth generation who runs several hundred acres of family farms with his brother, Jimmy Nardelli II, vice president of production and operations, and their father, Bill Nardelli Sr., president.

Founded in 1898, the company also has cooling and packing facilities in Cedarville, a distribution center in Vineland, N.J., and a fleet of trucks to deliver the products to retail stores.

The Nardellis’ New Jersey season starts with asparagus in mid-April, continuing all the way through to summer dry items, such as peppers, cucumbers and squash, and then back to wet items such as lettuces and greens until Thanksgiving.

In June, the company will have a lot of wet greens, Nardelli said: romaine, red leaf, green leaf, Boston, endive, escarole, many cooking greens, parsley and cilantro.

Cabbages — green, red, savoy, napa, bok choy — come in early June. Come mid-June, expect green and yellow squash, then cucumbers. By the end of June and early July, Nardelli Bros. will harvest peppers and three flavors of corn.

June is prime time for variety from the Nardelli farm as spring and summer harvests intermingle.

“We can put as many as 30 items on one truck. That gives our customers a lot of variety with two seasons overlapping a bit,” Nardelli said.

About 90% to 95% of the acreage is conventional crops, but the Nardellis are gradually adding more organic crops to meet rising demand, he said.

INDOOR AGRICULTURE

While southern New Jersey is full of open, green, rural farmland, northern New Jersey — especially the densely populated northeastern region just across the Hudson River from New York City — is another beast entirely.

A growing trend there, as well as at other Northeastern urban areas, is indoor, controlled atmosphere agriculture, particularly vertical farms.

Related content: How indoor, vertical Bowery Farming is faring during COVID-19

Vertical farms, in which rows of crops are stacked one on top of another using LED lights and automated growing systems, are mainly reserved for leafy greens and herbs that don’t require much space and have quick growing cycles.

Bowery Farming’s headquarters is in Manhattan, but its original farm, which is now a research and development farm, is in Kearny, N.J. The company has since created a second farm in Kearny allowing for 30 times more output than the first farm, according to the company.

There are multiple grow rooms with different temperatures and humidity capabilities for different types of crops.

It’s a commercial, hydroponic, automated indoor farm to serve brick-and-mortar retailers within a 150-mile radius in the tri-state area, said Carmela Cugini, executive vice president of sales.

The proprietary technology includes machine learning, which means that all the growing tricks learned at the first farm are already in place at the second, where even more advancements can build upon the foundation of knowledge, Cugini said.

Bowery Farming grows arugula, baby kale, bok choy, butterhead lettuce, kale mix, romaine, spring blend, basil, cilantro and parsley.

Close by in Newark, N.J, there’s AeroFarms, another indoor vertical farm using its own proprietary technology to grow, not hydroponically, but with a patented aeroponic system that uses a mist of nutrients, water and oxygen and no sun or soil. The company began in 2004.

It’s in season year-round at these vertical farms.

Related content: These companies made Thrive’s Top 50 AgTech and AgFood lists

Naturipe: Reimagine cranberries this holiday season

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 07:35:16 GMT

Naturipe’s berry experts are daring consumers to get creative with cranberries this holiday season – and beyond – with the launch of the company’s first downloadable cookbook, Reimagining Cranberries . Available for free at naturipefarms.com, Naturipe’s cranberry cookbook features 17 sweet, savory, and even spicy recipes to inspire experienced chefs and provide step-by-step instructions for kitchen beginners.

With more than 100 years’ experience growing premium berries, Naturipe is a leading global producer of all your favorite fresh-tasting berries. They gathered a diverse group of experts from across their organization – growers, chefs, and registered dietitians – to show consumers how this versatile superfood could be more than just a holiday side.

Jill Overdorf, a Culinary Institute of America-trained chef whose resume includes Dreamworks Studios’ executive chef as well as executive sous chef for the Telluride Film Festival and the McMurdo Station in Antarctica, is now Naturipe’s Director of Business Development for Foodservice as well as their Corporate Chef. Jill’s creativity and passion for culinary creation led to some of the book’s most unique recipes, such as the Cranberry Citrus Jalapeño Relish.

“At Naturipe, we pride ourselves on innovation from berry production all the way into your kitchens,” said Overdorf. “With this cookbook, our goal was to show how fresh cranberries can add a great pop of flavor to your everyday meals as well as create classic holiday staples– from cranberry sauces to cocktails – with a twist.”

A few standout recipes to kick off the holiday season include:

• Cranberry and Sweet Corn Snack Cake – This delicious and easy snack cake is a gateway project into the kitchen for ambitious young bakers.
• Cranberry Harvest Pilaf – This hearty dish is easy to top with whatever you want (or have on hand) and is excellent for making ahead and reheating—even the next day!
• Cranberry Rice Pudding – This recipe is so easy to make, it’s worth the 30 minutes of diligent stirring. The pop of cranberries brightens up this traditional dish.
• Cranberry Citrus Jalapeño Relish – This easy and delightful cranberry relish gets a deep, earthy flavor from chipotle powder and a bite from the fresh jalapeños. And the best part? No cooking is required!
• Sparkling Cranberry Bog Cocktail – The bright cranberries give the Prosecco a gorgeous burgundy color, which is just begging to be poured into a champagne flute.

Naturipe’s Nutrition Expert and registered dietitian, Jenn LaVardera, joined Overdorf in the virtual kitchen creating health-focused recipes.

“Health and wellness are important now more than ever,” said LaVardera. “And adding fresh cranberries to your traditional holiday classics or your everyday diet can not only brighten up a meal but can also strengthen your immune system.”

Cranberries are loaded with compounds called proanthocyanidins (PACs) which have multiple benefits, including antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidants. Consuming a single serving size of cranberries may help reduce risk factors for heart disease, urinary tract infections and stomach ulcers. But not all berries are created equal.

“The perfect, fresh cranberry is shiny, plump and firm with a deep red color,” Overdorf explains.

This November, Overdorf will be demonstrating a few recipes from the new cookbook on Naturipe’s Instagram Story. Follow @Naturipe on Instagram, so you can follow along every Wednesday starting November 11.

The full cranberry cookbook is available to download here .

Solid season seen for upcoming summer berries

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 18:48:46 GMT

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

A few growing areas have had to cope with some wacky weather, but on the whole, shipments of strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries looked promising for the next few months.

Strawberries

California’s fall-planted strawberry acreage for winter, spring and summer production was 26,982 acres, up 4.3% from 2019’s 25,868 acres, according to the Watsonville-based California Strawberry Commission.

As of May 30, the state’s growers had shipped about 81.3 million trays. A year ago, the figure was about 73.5 million trays.

Fresh-market volume for the season was expected to reach about 218.5 million trays compared to about 202 million trays in 2019.

Watsonville-based Well-Pict Inc. should be finishing up its Santa Maria deal by mid-June and shipping primarily out of the Watsonville-Salinas area, said Jim Grabowski, merchandising manager.

“Berry quality and size are excellent,” he said.

So far, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, strawberries have had “somewhat of a strange year,” Grabowski said, with lots of ups and downs in the market.

Strawberries are more of an impulse item than a staple, he said. And shoppers tend to make fewer spur-of-the-moment purchases when they make fewer trips to the supermarket.

“People haven’t gotten into a steady buying habit,” he said.

One trend Grabowski noted is a move toward 2-pound clamshell containers.

“When the clamshell first came out, the 1-pounder was the workhorse,” he said.

“Now consumers are finding that 2-pounders are a good value, and a lot of retailers are using that (pack size) as an everyday stock item.”

Blueberries

Last year, U.S. blueberry growers produced 1.2 billion pounds of wild and highbush blueberries, according to the North American Blueberry Council.

President Kasey Cronquist said it was expected that production would increase this year, but that may not be the case.

“We’ve already seen challenges in early domestic harvest that may prevent some of that production to be realized,” he said.

Blueberries will be shipping out of several areas, including Georgia, North Carolina, California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, Michigan and New Jersey, between now and fall, said Luciano Fiszman, blueberry category manager for Los Angeles-based Gourmet Trading Co .

There could be a new development in the marketplace later in the season, he said.

“I foresee Peru to start earlier than in years past,” he said.

Peruvian growers will start to pick in June and volume will pick up slowly, he said.

“I don’t expect a crazy flood of fruit too early, but I do expect Peruvian presence in the market earlier than in years past.”

Larger volume of blueberries from Peru should be available in the U.S. starting in late July into August and September, he said.

U.S. berries sometimes are subject to weather challenges, he said, while Peru tends to have more consistent growing conditions.

“Retailers love Peruvian fruit because the fruit doesn’t give them any trouble,” he said.

Heavy volume will create a challenge for Peruvian growers, U.S. growers and retailers who are torn between offering domestic or imported blueberries.

“I don’t know how that is going to play out,” Fiszman said.

Raspberries & Blackberries

Most fresh-market summer raspberries come out of California, said Debby Wechsler, executive secretary for the North American Raspberry and Blackberry Association, Pittsboro, N.C.

Fresh-market blackberries are grown primarily in California and a few other states, including Georgia, North Carolina, Texas and Ohio.

“The Southeast has become quite a production area for blackberries,” she said.

Raspberries and blackberries are the fastest-growing fruit categories in the produce department, said Roland Fumasi, vice president and senior analyst for RaboResearch Food & Agribusiness, Fresno, Calif.

Raspberries had a 15.4% compounded annual growth rate in U.S. per capita consumption from 2006-08 to 2016-18, he said during a presentation to the raspberry and blackberry association in March. Blackberries had a growth rate of 11.6%.

Demand for conventional raspberries rose from 216.5 million pounds in 2018 to about 236.4 million pounds in 2019, he said, drawing from U.S. Department of Agriculture totals.

Blackberry movement was down slightly, from 174.4 million pounds in 2018 to 168.3 million pounds in 2019.

Related:
Southeast berry growers getting ready for sprin
Strawberry crop volume picks up
Blueberries take off after slow start

This month's berry news and insights

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 21:16:47 GMT

Been missing the latest news and updates on everything berry? Not to worry, here is your rundown from July 2020.

Well-Pict offers digital kit to boost online berry retail sales

Well-Pict Berries , Watsonville, Calif., is offering a free digital retail kit to retailers to help them boost online berry sales. The kit includes marketing materials for all levels of the produce department, from buyers to merchandisers.

Root 24 Farms ready to market first fresh blueberry crop

A new Washington organic blueberry company is marketing its first fresh crop. Root 24 Farms , Moxee City, Wash., has 650 acres of organic production, with “many more” in transition to organic.

U.S. fresh fruit exports rise in May

U.S. fresh fruit exports rose by nearly 10% in May compared with a year ago, offsetting an equal decline in fresh vegetable exports. Statistics from the U.S. Department of Agriculture show that U.S. fresh fruit exports in May totaled $367 million, up 9.9% compared with the same month a year ago.

Blazer Wilkinson adds Foxy brand blueberries

Blazer Wilkinson, Salinas, Calif., which grows and ships conventional and organic strawberries under the Foxy brand, is adding blueberries to the program. The berries, grown in California, Washington and British Columbia, will be available through mid-September, with ample volumes for ad opportunities starting July 15.

Alberto Medina-Mora joins Fall Creek Farm & Nursery in Mexico

Blueberry breeder Fall Creek Farm & Nursery Inc. , Lowell, Ore., has hired Alberto Medina-Mora as regional director for Mexico. Medina-Mora most recently was senior director of development and innovation at NatureSweet Mexico, where he was in a variety of management roles since 2009. He will be based at Fall Creek’s facility in Jalisco, and reports to Oscar Verges, president and chief operating officer

Tale of the tape: NAFTA era trends in U.S. produce trade

Now that the USMCA has begun, what can we say about the North American Free Trade Agreement? I have assembled a few charts that show trade trends between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Berries and lettuce showed the highest value among U.S. fresh produce exports to Canada.

Naturipe adds recycle label on packaging

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 07:36:42 GMT

Looking to learn more about sustainable practices throughout the fresh produce supply chain? Register now to hear from industry leaders at The Packer’s Sustainable Produce Summit, a free virtual event Sept. 22-24.

Naturipe Farms has taken a big step forward in its commitment to sustainability.

The Salinas, Calif.-based berry grower is adding the How2Recycle label on packaging to help ensure that consumers properly recycle, said Janis McIntosh, director of marketing innovation and sustainability.

All Naturipe products, including organic and conventional strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, cranberries and avocados eventually will include the How2Recycle logo in the design, she said.

How2Recycle is a standardized labeling system that clearly communicates recycling instructions to the public, according to its website — how2recycle.info.

“It involves a coalition of forward-thinking brands who want their packaging to be recycled and are empowering consumers through smart packaging labels,” the website says.

That’s not the extent of Naturipe’s sustainability efforts.

“In addition to the How2Recycle label, Naturipe was the first adopter of heat seal technology for both fresh and value-added berry product lines, which reduces plastic by 33%,” McIntosh said.

A single foodservice pack change removed almost 550 pounds of plastic per week from the waste stream, she said.

“Last year, Naturipe increased its Heat Seal Program substantially, resulting in 24 metric tons of plastic removed from its packaging.”

The company is looking to remove as much as 60 metric tons of plastic from its packaging in 2020, more than doubling last year’s goal, she said.

Naturipe also has joined major North American fresh berry producers in announcing its goal to use 100% recycle-ready packaging by 2025.

“This pledge coincides with Naturipe’s Cultivate with Care sustainability program, which is our commitment to operating our business in a way that minimizes environmental impact and simultaneously supports our local and global communities,” McIntosh said.

It is dedication to sustainability and the environment — not economics — that is the motivating factor behind joining the How2Recycle program and changing Naturipe packaging, McIntosh said.

“Investing in the earth is not only the right thing to do, but it is also particularly important for us because we need the healthiest and best environmental conditions to grow our tasty berries,” she said.

Naturipe always has been committed to sustainability and environmentally friendly practices, McIntosh said.

“Together with our family of farmers, we’ve made it a priority to reduce the environmental footprint in all areas of the business including, business practices at large, packaging reduction, and recyclability,” she said.

“We’ve been innovating on this front for years, and as the director of marketing innovation and sustainability, I will continue to focus my efforts to further innovate and reduce our environmental footprint.”

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United Fresh foodservice report highlights holidays, back to school

Tue, 24 Nov 2020 20:47:55 GMT

The United Fresh Produce Association’s Fresh Insights for Foodservice fall issue highlights the traditional holiday meal mainstays, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic’s continued effects on the foodservice sector.

“The ongoing pandemic continues to create challenges for foodservice operators and supplier partners, and pivoting to meet the evolving needs of consumers is essential,” Andrew Marshall, director of foodservice & foundation partnerships for United Fresh, said in a news release. “Produce-centric meals are positioned well to meet consumers’ desires for healthier options, as well as meal solutions for the entire family.”

According to the release, the report highlights:

In Season: Holiday favorites cranberries and sweet potatoes ; the report also suggests curry as a cold-weather, globally-inspired way to serve as a vehicle for fresh items;
On the Horizon: Deep dives into blueberries , celery and fresh fruit tarts, which will be focus of some menu items next spring;
Chain Report: Explores the latest national account introductions;
Kid’s Table: How cauliflower is being featured on kids’ menus;
View From Above: Fall brings a back-to-school focus, and United Fresh features insights from K-12 operators on how they are offering fresh produce, despite current challenges.

“The leadership of school nutrition professionals during the pandemic has been nothing short of extraordinary,” Sarah Grady, manager of U.S. Strategic Supply Chain for McDonald’s Corp. and chairwoman of the United Fresh Retail-Foodservice Board, said in the release. “We’re pleased to highlight several K-12 operators in the latest issue of Fresh Insights, showcasing their continued commitment to offering fresh fruit and vegetables.”

The report is sponsored by Produce Alliance .

The United Fresh Retail-Foodservice Board is offering a web seminar on the report at noon Eastern Dec. 2. Grady will moderate the discussion, which will feature analysis from Mike Kostyo, trendologist at Datassential, and a question-and-answer period.

The seminar registration is online.

Cranberry crop down in Wisconsin

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 21:19:16 GMT

A cool early growing season and late heat will reduce the supply of top grade Wisconsin cranberries this year, one marketer reports.

Still, fresh market supply — which takes about 3% of the total crop — should be sufficient for strong holiday promotions.

Bob Wilson, president of the Wisconsin Rapids, Wisc.-based Cranberry Network — marketers of Habelman label cranberries — said Oct. 21 that the harvest of Wisconsin cranberries was wrapping up.

Leading up to harvest, there hadn’t been enough cold weather to spur uniform red coloring of the fruit, Wilson said.

“We’re probably in the last 10 days of harvest right now and the net result is that it is looking a little worse than anticipated in terms of yield,” Wilson said.

“It has really become apparent that the total numbers are down, both in terms of berry count, and in terms of the size of the berries we’ve got,” he said, noting that some are projecting the Wisconsin crop to be 20% down from earlier projections.

With lack of color a key issue, Wisconsin is projected to produce much less fruit for the frozen market.

Marketers will take fruit out of the frozen processing market to feed fresh market demand, Wilson said.

A late spring delayed crop development, causing a late bloom and late fruit set. With the crop running about three weeks behind normal early in the season, hot weather in July helped it advance. Even with that spell, however, the number of growing degree days was lacking, Wilson said.

“We did do some catching up, but not enough,’ he said. “We knew at the front end, when we started harvest in mid-September that some of the numbers weren’t quite up to snuff,” he said.

Related Content
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Cranberry marketers try to shake holiday-only label
Cranberry Marketing Committee adds partners, promos

Debunking myths and enjoying cranberry season

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:22:02 GMT

Cranberries don’t need to float in a bog to hit the sweet spot for the fresh market consumer.

That is just one of several myths that cranberry marketer Naturipe is seeking to dispel, according to a news release.

“We’ve already been sharing cranberry recipes and ideas via social media, but we know there’s so much more to cranberries than recipes,” CarrieAnn Arias, vice president of marketing for Naturipe said in the release. “That’s especially true when you talk to our cranberry growers – arguably the most passionate cranberry people on the planet. That’s why we are sharing with you a few things they want you to know about their favorite berry.”

The first myth, according to the release, is that every harvest must include a bog full of cranberries floating in the water. In fact, the release said fresh berries don’t thrive in water and many fresh cranberry growers dry harvest their fruit with no water.

“When it comes to harvesting for fresh consumption, a water-filled bog is absolutely not where it’s at,” Brian Bocock, vice president of product management for Naturipe, said in the release. “We want our cranberries to be exposed to water as little as possible to ensure they stay fresh as long as possible.”

Another myth is that the main health benefit of cranberries is limited to protection against urinary tract infections. In fact, the release said cranberries have properties that can help the cardiovascular system, oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract, and the urinary tract.

“When we talk about the benefits of cranberries, we’re talking about way more than the nutritional benefits of the vitamins and minerals that any fruit or veggie can lay claim to,” Bocock said in the release. “We’re talking about Proanthocyanidins (PACs) - or Pretty Awesome Compounds as I like to think of them. They are amazing molecules, available only in cranberries that offer this amazing antimicrobial quality. Adding a serving of cranberries into your diet, it’s like building a wall between your insides and bacteria that can make you sick.”

Naturipe offers both conventional and organic fresh cranberries, and availability can extend well past the Thanksgiving feast, according to the release.

“I recommend you buy fresh cranberries when they are in season and throw a few bags into your freezer for later use,” Bocock said in the release. “Just like other berries, cranberries maintain their flavor, nutrient power, and ease of use straight out of your freezer. So stock up now while you can.”

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Facing low returns, cranberry growers to restrict volume

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:12:05 GMT

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, acting on requests from cranberry growers, is placing controls on the 2017-18 crop to help bring supplies in line with demand.

The USDA published the plan in the Federal Register on Jan. 2, based on a proposal from the Cranberry Marketing Committee. The rule became official on April 4, and takes effect May 4, according to a USDA news release.

Growers in 10 designated states who produce more than 125,000 100-pound barrels of cranberries can sell 85% of production to any market, but 15% can go only to “noncompetitive outlets” such as animal feed or charitable organizations. Organic cranberry production is exempt.

According to the USDA, the amount of cranberry products carried over from one season to the next is growing, while returns to the growers are dropping. The upcoming season’s production is forecast at 9.1 million barrels — but the committee has put total available supplies at 20.4 million barrels when holdover inventories are included.

Anticipated sales for the season are 333,000 barrels of fresh berries and 9.2 million barrels of processed fruit, leaving an estimated 10.9 million barrels in inventory at the end of the season, according to the committee.

Per-barrel prices paid to growers have dropped, according to the USDA, from $30 in 2011 to $10 in 2016.

The states involved in the volume control are Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon and Washington. Growers on New York’s Long Island are also included.

US Cranberries First Casualty of Trade War

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 06:05:06 GMT

(Bloomberg) --

The American cranberry industry is one of the biggest losers so far in the escalating trade dispute between the European Union and the U.S.

Imports of the red fruit from the U.S. were on the list of goods targeted last week by the EU for a 25 percent levy in retaliation against American tariffs on steel and aluminum. The U.S. exports about 95 million pounds of cranberries to the bloc each year, according to Tom Lochner, executive director of the Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers. That’s more than any other destination, and accounts for about 12 percent of domestic production.

“This tariff would significantly hinder our ability to compete in these markets,” Lochner said in an interview.

Cranberries are among a basket of all-American goods -- from peanut butter to bourbon whiskey and Harley Davidson motorbikes -- singled out by the EU. The fruit is synonymous with Thanksgiving Dinner, but it’s also a U.S. agricultural success story. The country is the world’s largest producer, with output up 20 percent since 2010. The industry has promoted dry fruit in beverages, and exports have jumped 48 percent in the last six years, in part because of increased sales to China.

Yet cranberries remain a niche market, with only about 1,200 growers. In 2016, the harvest by farmers was valued at $292.3 million while the country’s exports of fresh cranberries, juice, sauces and dried and frozen products was estimated at $340 million. For comparison, total U.S. agricultural exports were $135 billion that year.

U.S. corn and soybean farmers are concerned about what could happen if President Donald Trump withdraws from the North American Free Trade Agreement, or if China targets agricultural commodities in retaliation for the tariffs on metals. But so far, those two major crops have escaped largely unscathed.

“Cranberries are a small segment of U.S. agriculture,” said Terry Humfeld, executive director at the Cranberry Institute, a nonprofit organization founded in 1951 to promote cranberry growers and the industry. “But for our little industry to be impacted does not make any sense. We are concerned.”

The timing of the trade tariffs comes as the cranberry industry grapples with a surplus. Last year it voted to dispose of some supply in order to balance it with demand. The U.S. Department of Agriculture approved the marketing order last month. The industry is recommending growers reduce output 25 percent this year, a plan not used since 2001.

“We hope that all parties involved will reach an agreement to continue to allow U.S. cranberry products into the EU,” Humfeld said. “This is probably an uphill battle we will have to wage.”

Copyright 2018, Bloomberg News

Naturipe’s organic cranberries ready for retail promos

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 07:41:16 GMT

Naturipe Farms is seeing peak supplies of organic cranberries from Wisconsin, a trend that will continue to the third week of December.

The company is offering promotion opportunities for the traditional holiday fruit, according to a news release.

“Harvest is about 70% complete on organic cranberries and outside of a cold snap a few weeks ago, the weather has been perfect,” Brian Vertrees, Naturipe’s director of business development, said in the Nov. 2 release. “The cooler temperatures have brought on great color this year and we are really excited about the quality available for the Thanksgiving shipping period.”

Volumes are set to bypass last season’s organic cranberry sales, he said, encouraging retailers to plan for organic and conventional displays of the fruit.

This year, Naturipe is offering a 24-count, 12-ounce bag option for retailers, according to the release.