The Well•Pict trade show crew is headed to Orlando, FL, for the Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure, and with spring right around the corner so is the busiest time of the year for berry orders.

In time for National Strawberry Day, California Strawberries is set to amplify strawberries and their many health benefits via the new year-long, consumer-focused campaign Love, Strawberries. Inspired by the love and the care the heart-healthy berry provides, Love, Strawberries is an ode to California strawberries and the hardworking farmers and farm workers behind the berry. 

“We are completely focused on growing the volume of blueberries sold in the United States and around the world,” said Jennifer Sparks, vice president of marketing and communications at the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council. Established in 2000 as an official research and promotion program overseen by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service division, the USHBC exists to drive volume growth for blueberries by uniting the industry through research, promotions and resources.

Naturipe is celebrating blueberries during the month of February. Its FeBLUEary campaign is now in its fifth consecutive year and highlights the first peak of imported blueberries for the 2022 season. 

Last year, FeBLUEary experienced a shift to adapt to the way consumers were buying their groceries. As consumers relied on e-commerce, Naturipe met consumers where they were by bringing the campaign to their favorite online grocery shopping platforms.

As strawberry season begins to unfold in California, so does the beginning of volunteer season by the Bobalu staff.  Typically, volunteering is done without much fanfare, just because it is the right thing to do.  

The last weekend of January is expected to see temperatures flirting with freezing in Florida’s strawberry production area near Plant City. Combined with rain during the Jan. 23-29 week, strawberry production is expected to be tight heading into the Valentine’s Day pull.