WATSONVILLE, CA - Coming off the winter holiday stretch, retailers and consumers alike are looking toward Valentine’s Day eating occasions. One produce category that shines brightly during the season of love is strawberries, and California Giant Berry Farms is highlighting product from from Florida; Santa Maria, California; and Mexico to meet this increase in demand.
“We are currently eight weeks into our Florida strawberry season, and the outlook is excellent. Thanks to ideal weather conditions, we’ve seen minimal quality issues in the fields, ensuring a consistent and high-quality crop,” Tim Youmans, Vice President of Sales, told me. “Our volumes are gradually increasing, and we are on track to hit peak production during weeks six through 10. We are proud to promote the Fresh From Florida marketing program on-pack and showcase our Florida-grown strawberries.”
Tim added that, overall, California Giant Berry Farms’ strawberry supplies from Florida, California, and Mexico look strong.
“Our current Florida production is complemented by the Santa Maria, California, crops, providing seamless availability. Additionally, we are seeing strong and steady volumes from Mexico, which further bolsters our ability to meet demand,” he explained. “Across all three regions, the fruit quality remains great, ensuring our customers receive a premium, consistent product through the winter months.”
For Valentine’s Day, California Giant is driving demand through multi-channel consumer marketing, focusing on digital recipe inspiration and showcasing strawberries as a necessary part of any celebration. The supplier will also have availability of long-stemmed strawberries, perfect for Valentine’s Day displays and foodservice dessert menus.
“To spotlight the strawberry category, California Giant recommends creating a high-impact destination within the produce department that captures the shopper’s eye. Retailers should anchor a consolidated berry patch at the front of the store, using the vibrant red of our strawberries to drive impulse purchases,” Tim pointed out.
He relayed that boosting basket size is best achieved through smart merchandising—positioning strawberries alongside whipped cream, shortcakes, or yogurt—and ensuring a strong digital presence via e-commerce banners and social media that highlight the fruit's versatility and health benefits.
“For Valentine’s Day, the goal is to make strawberries the center of the produce department by focusing on gifting and decadence. We recommend pairing our premium strawberries with champagne, dipping chocolate kits, and fresh bouquets to offer a one-stop shop for holiday shoppers,” Tim continued. “To further elevate the experience, feature stemmed strawberries specifically for dipping and use point-of-sale signage that offers creative recipe inspiration, ensuring shoppers see our berries as the essential for a memorable celebration.”
I know I would gravitate toward such a display in a heartbeat. This Valentine’s Day and beyond, turn to California Giant to bolster your berry set.
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California Giant Berry Farms
California Giant was built by the dedication of many hard-working individuals committed to one common goal; the optimal…
