TRAVERSE CITY, MI - Not one summer goes by when shoppers can’t be seen flooding grocery stores in search of delicious berry varieties to sweeten their favorite seasonal recipes. As the warm weather leads to steady demand in the category—and a vital opportunity for retailers to boost register rings—I get in touch with two of the influential leaders spearheading North Bay Produce’s success, Nick Osmulski, President, and Ryan Lockman, Vice President of Sales.
“North Bay Produce continues to experience strong growth despite the many challenges we all saw in the last year and continue to see today,” says Nick. “We believe that a large part of our success is because of our focus on providing outstanding customer service with high logistical performance. Our priority is being the produce company that gets it done—and done well.”
North Bay is currently producing blueberries in Georgia, North Carolina, California, and Mexico, and is gearing up for harvests in New Jersey, Oregon, and Washington, with organic blueberries coming out of California while the Mexican season finishes up. Both conventional and organic varieties are expected to have a consistent supply beginning in mid-June through the winter holiday season, with promotional volume available now through late August.
The grower’s West Coast blueberry production will be peaking in July and August, and larger pack sizes will be available in top-seal containers for retailers, accompanied by North Bay’s delicious raspberry and blackberry varieties.
“Overall demand has been very good over the last year and half. Our blackberry season is currently finishing up in Mexico, and North Carolina will begin harvesting in about a week,” Ryan tells me. “As for raspberries, production is wrapping up in Mexico, and we will have a consistent supply for the summer, including plenty of organic options.”
To help retailers spotlight its unique and alluring berry offerings, North Bay offers various promotional opportunities for its partners, including larger pack sizes and alluring display materials.
“As trends over the past year have shown, consumers are buying more and more larger pack sizes, and North Bay Produce is positioned well to support that trend,” Ryan continues. “We also provide health tips and facts on the produce to increase customer awareness.”
Sounds like a berry promising opportunity to collect shopper dollars, if I do say so myself. Summer sales will abound with North Bay’s mouthwatering varieties in tow, so don’t be the one to miss out.
