SALINAS, CA - Blueberries are the topic of conversation as Naturipe Farms arms retailers with strong volumes of high-quality fruit from its Southeast growing region. The supplier’s buy-side partners can now stock up on a variety of retail sizes, with an exceptional crop expected between mid-April and mid-June.
“Naturipe growers are producing increased promotable volumes of blueberries and helping our retailers grow sales year after year,” said Brian Bocock, Naturipe’s Vice President of Product Management. “We’re excited to return to stellar volumes of our delicious blueberries after a few seasons impacted by adverse weather. Our growers continue to pick the best and sweetest blueberries from their fields, and we know retailers and consumers alike won’t be able to resist the delicious varieties they’ve come to associate with Naturipe.”
The supplier’s blueberries will be offered in various clamshell sizes, from the single-serving 6 oz clamshell to the 2 lb pack. Naturipe will have promotable volumes of high-quality blueberries from Florida and Georgia, in addition to promotable volumes of organic blueberries from the Southeast United States. This influx of volume comes after two years of unfavorable events like hurricanes and frost impacting Southeast growing regions.
A press release explained that, in addition to the upcoming noteworthy Southeast blueberry season, Naturipe is excited for future seasons of scrumptious, juicy blueberry varieties; these berries will be fresh, firm, and flavorful with improved consumer appeal and will be sold under the Naturipe brand.
Earlier this month, two of Naturipe’s owners, MBG Marketing and Hortifrut, announced a partnership between their world-class breeding program, Berry Blue, and the University of Florida to develop new and proprietary late-season southern highbush blueberry varieties.
“We are thrilled at the news of this partnership. We are confident Berry Blue and the University of Florida’s impressive breeding programs will bring incredible-tasting blueberries and change the industry for the better,” said Jim Roberts, President of Sales at Naturipe. “The results will benefit retailers, consumers, and Naturipe growers who work hard every day to deliver high-quality, healthy, and irresistible blueberries.”
Naturipe continues to offer year-round availability of its conventional and organic blueberries through its Globally Local™ program.
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