BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA - The fresh produce industry has once again proven that innovation is our strong suit, as a new berry concept has been unveiled. The announcement was made that the first-ever Ocean Spray® specialty berry pack would make its debut this fall, backed by three partners aiming to elevate the category with this new strawberry offering.
“With such diversification across categories at Oppy, I couldn’t be more excited for this one in particular,” said David Smith, President of Oppy. “This concept combines care for the planet with care for the people, and is poised to deliver an excellent strawberry experience for our customers and their shoppers. Berries have been an increasingly vital component of our product mix, and I’m really proud to see our focus come to fruition with this innovative new line.”
The new venture, which has been fittingly named New Wave Berry, is a collaboration between Oppy, family-owned agribusiness Red Dog Management, and agricultural investment firm Farmers Gate, according to a press release. Not only will the concept create efficiency on the supply-side, but the marketer discusses how its innovation will boost buyers' bottom lines on the shelf as well.
This is not the first time that Oppy and Red Dog have joined forces, as the duo has been bringing berries to market together for several years.
“We’ve been talking to Oppy about the prospect of tabletop growing and how it is going to be the future of strawberries for a long time, we’re ecstatic to be moving ahead,” Owners of Red Dog Management Greg and Donna France said. “These berries will stand out because they will be heartier with a longer shelf life. Coupled with an eye-catching extension of the Ocean Spray line, we’re excited to deliver in a different way for our customers, and consumers will be very happy too.”
The new line of tabletop strawberries will be grown in a recently constructed, high tunnel facility in Santa Maria, California. Building upon Oppy’s partnership with Ocean Spray, the venture will further advance strawberry production practices while simultaneously introducing a uniquely sustainable item to the market.
“It’s not every day we get to build something from the absolute ground up, or tabletop up, you might say in this instance,” said Jason Fung, Oppy’s VP of Categories, Berries, and Greenhouse. “Bringing a new item, a new brand extension, and a new way of growing to the market, I think this is an opportunity to change the game really quickly. We certainly see a future on a large scale growing in this way and will be able to do so with such great partners.”
With innovation at the forefront, the new line requires fewer inputs than field-grown strawberries, while hydroponics deliver just the right nutrition to the plants to ensure that less chemicals and water are used in the process. The lessened amount of groundwork by growing on tabletops also makes labor less intensive for those tending the plants and harvesting the berries, while greenhouse efficiencies enable year-round production and work.
How will this exciting new offering continue to revolutionize the berry market? Keep a tab open for AndNowUKnow for the answers.
