With about three-quarters of its annual volume already picked and packed, and running a bit behind 2020 numbers, the California strawberry industry is expecting a strong final quarter allowing volume to surpass last year’s total.

Through the week ended Aug. 21, California had sent close to 150 million trays of fruit to market, which represents about a 4.5 percent decline from the previous year. By the end of the third week of 2020, California’s strawberry growers had marketed more than 157 million trays of fruit on the way to a crop that exceeded 200 million trays.

With many headed back to their classrooms, campuses and cubicles more regularly come fall, Oppy is putting lunchbox favorites from its exclusive collaboration with the Ocean Spray brand on full display in its back-to-school campaign. Oppy, leading grower, marketer and distributor of fresh produce from around the world is presenting its berries, grapes and citrus under the umbrella of the campaign’s positioning line: "The new school way to enjoy Ocean Spray." All items are available now.

North Bay Produce, a grower-owned cooperative in Traverse City, MI, is a year-round berry shipper and has enjoyed success in the category.

“Having the continuity of supply between regions and hemispheres in the fall allows for consistency and stability of product, thus offering a successful berry program to our customers,” said Ryan Lockman, vice president of sales and procurement for the company.

Naturipe, a leading global producer of nutritious berries for more than 100 years, is launching its new Berry Parfaits featuring Chobani Yogurt and Naturipe fresh berries — with thoughtful packaging designed for consumers on-the-go.
 
The Berry Parfaits are the latest new product offering from Naturipe, which kicked off their “Summer of Snacking” campaign last month, as the company continues to grow its value-added and Naturipe Snacks line.
 

Once the North American blueberry season wanes, Peru’s long growing season, steady climate and greenhouse-like growing conditions will provide retailers and consumers with a trustworthy and constant volume of high-quality blueberries.

"We continue to have new acreage in play, and the crop-set looks heavier, and earlier, than last year," said Michael Osumi, Berry People's chief operating officer. "We are expecting to begin shipping in August, a couple of weeks early, with peak arrivals planned for October through mid-December."

Four Seasons Produce, based in Ephrata, PA, announced the winners of its Berry Bonanza retail display contest, held in conjunction with Driscoll’s.

The contest was available for Four Seasons’ independent retailer, natural food store and food co-op customers who purchased and displayed organic and/or conventional Driscoll’s berries through Four Seasons Produce. Entries were accepted from May 17 to June 14 and were required to have at least three different berry varieties in their displays, promoting the Berry Patch concept.