Michigan blueberry grower Shelly Hartmann has been named chair of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council. Hartmann, who co-owns True Blue Farms with her husband Dennis, succeeds Chris Barnhill of North Carolina. 

The New Jersey Department of Agriculture highlighted July as National Blueberry Month with a visit to Mento Farms in Atlantic County. NJDA Secretary Douglas Fisher along with state and local officials toured the farm’s packing facility and the fields where Jersey Fresh blueberries are grown to emphasize that local produce and farm products are readily available at farmers markets and stores around the state.

Naturipe Farms recently announced its inaugural Summer of Snacking campaign. The celebration aims to highlight the benefits of healthy snacking done right as consumers enter a busy summer season after a pandemic.

Over the last two decades, blueberries have transitioned from a specialty crop into a global commodity available year-round. Homegrown Organic Farms has been a staple in the category.

“Blueberries have grown to be probably the highest gross sales commodity for the company,” said Stephen Paul, stone fruit and blueberry category director for the Porterville, CA-based company.

The family-owned and operated farms that sell fruit under Rainier Fruit Co.’s label have been honing its craft for generations. The Selah, WA-based company is a leader in blueberries and runs a 100 percent organic blueberry operation.

June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Health Awareness Month.

Brain health is important at every age in the lifecycle, but especially relevant for older adults. Many factors such as sleep, daily movement, and more play a role in keeping our body’s command center performing at its best — and nutrition is no exception. Evidence suggests that eating a diet containing a variety of vegetables, fruits, nuts, beans and seafood during adulthood is associated with lower risk of age-related cognitive impairment, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.