“Given that we also have a very strong Chilean blueberry program, we are able to ensure our customers continuity of supply of excellent quality fruit from now through the end of the winter,” Beaver said.

Blueberries have emerged as a 52-week, must-have item and that’s been a key to Sunny Valley’s success.

“Consumers are increasingly prioritizing convenience, and blueberries are a perfect match for this shift in consumer purchasing preferences,” Beaver said. “Blueberries require virtually no post-purchase work for the final consumer outside of rinsing, and they can be used for everything from salads and smoothies to a convenient, healthy snack in kids’ lunchboxes. The industry has also done a tremendous job of highlighting the myriad health benefits of blueberry consumption, which has contributed to a significant boost in consumer demand.”

U.S. consumers have always enjoyed domestic blueberries in the spring and summer months, particularly in New Jersey, which offers an outstanding Jersey Fruit blueberry program, however, withthe growth in production in Peru, Chile, Mexico, Morocco and other parts of the world, the blueberry season has effectively been extended to now include the fall and winter months.

“This allows retailers to feature blueberries in berry sets throughout the year and also affords them the opportunity to promote blueberries on an ongoing basis,” Beaver said. “This helps boost demand and drive sales.”

Currently, Sunny Valley is sourcing its blues from Peru, and the program will feature Peruvian fruit through the start of the new year. Then it will incorporate Chilean blueberries, which typically come to market in December and continue through mid-to late-March.

“Consumers aren’t necessarily focused on specific varieties but are certainly prioritizing certain attributes,” Beaver said. “Taste is always at the forefront. If a consumer has a terrific eating experience, they will come back for more. Additionally, consumers are looking for varieties that offer good size and crunchiness. Shelf life is also an important consideration. Retailers want fruit that will hold up well at the store level, and consumers want berries that will not break down quickly in their refrigerators.”

Domestic berries have always delivered these attributes, given their proximity to the final consumer and fact that, for the most part, berries consumers are buying were picked, packed and shipped within days of landing in their refrigerators.

“With imports, you have to factor in the reality that the fruit is traveling for several weeks before landing in the U.S.,” Beaver said. “Fortunately, there are now a number of excellent varieties bred for different production regions that deliver the attributes consumers are looking for, and production of these varieties has reached a point where there are regular supplies from August through March.”

For Sunny Valley, consistency of quality and freshness starts at the farm level.

“That’s why we partner with exceptional growers in Peru, Chile and other production regions,” Beaver said. “These growers are prioritizing the best varieties and picking, packing and shipping in a way that ensures outstanding fruit quality at the time containers are loaded. Once the product arrives here, we have access to industry-leading cold storage and packing capabilities, ensuring that the cold chain remains intact and our customers are receiving the best fruit possible.”

Sunny Valley views every customer relationship as a partnership.

“Our job is to solve problems for our customers,” Beaver said. “This starts with having access to great fruit. It extends to ensuring continuity of supply, identifying opportune windows for promotion and accommodating a range of pack styles, among other things. We and our customers have the shared goal of increasing sales and driving consumption, so we work tirelessly to identify ways to do this 52 weeks out of the year.”