Despite a spring season marked by cooler temperatures and delayed crop development across New Jersey, The Freshwave Fruit & Produce and Consalo Family Farms remain optimistic about the outlook for their blueberry program in 2026.

“This year began with an unexpected frost and cooler weather in April that impacted crop development and delayed harvest timing across New Jersey,” said Jeffrey DiMatteo, executive vice president of operations for the Vineland, NJ-based company. “It’s still hard to tell the exact crop damage we received.”

The company noted the late-season cold snap affected growers differently throughout the region, depending on location and crop stage.

“Some farmers are reporting total loss, some 50 percent loss and others as low as 10 percent,” DiMatteo said. “We won’t know our total damage for another week or so as the crop continues to mature.”

Even with the weather-related uncertainty, the company expects a positive season thanks to strong crop management and continued investments throughout its blueberry operation.

“Despite the challenges, we are optimistic that we will have a successful season ahead,” DiMatteo said.

Blueberries continue playing a larger role within the company’s overall New Jersey produce program as consumer demand remains strong across both conventional and organic categories.

“Sales are trending upward, especially for both conventional and organic offerings,” DiMatteo said. 

To support that growth, the company has continued looking for ways to improve efficiency, quality and consistency throughout the supply chain.

“We continue to invest heavily in our blueberry operations,” DiMatteo said. “Recent additions include new sorting machines and packing lines designed to improve efficiency and overall product quality.”

Those upgrades are helping the company better meet retailer demands for premium fruit, improved sizing consistency and enhanced packaging presentation.

Among the company’s core blueberry varieties are Duke and Blue Crop, which continue performing well throughout the New Jersey season.

“They remain two of the most important and in-demand New Jersey blueberry varieties,” DiMatteo said.

At the same time, specialty varieties are becoming increasingly important as retailers and consumers seek premium flavor profiles and differentiated offerings.

“We have specialty varieties such as Peachy Blue and Loretto that are gaining attention for their unique flavor profiles and sizing,” DiMatteo said. “Arabella is another variety that we see great promise in and continue to expand acreage on.”

Consumer preferences are also continuing to evolve.

“We are also observing strong trends toward larger pack sizes, premium offerings and continued growth in organic demand,” DiMatteo said. “Consumers continue prioritizing convenience and healthier snack options.”

The company believes food safety, cold chain management and logistics remain critical components in maintaining quality from harvest through final delivery.

“Maintaining freshness and quality from the fields to the shelves is extremely important,” DiMatteo said.

New Jersey’s proximity to major East Coast population centers also remains a competitive advantage for local blueberry growers as the ability to quickly harvest, cool and ship fruit helps maximize freshness and shelf life while delivering a better eating experience for consumers.

Looking ahead, Consalo Family Farms and The Freshwave Fruit & Produce is excited about the rest of 2026. 

“We see an opportunity for growth as demand for fresh and locally grown blueberries continues to rise,” DiMatteo said.