“Here at Gourmet Trading, we expect an increase of approximately 30 percent over the 2011-2012 [berry] season,” said Scott Hulsey, vice president of procurement for Los Angeles-based Gourmet Trading Co.

Julia Inestroza, marketing director for the company added, “Blueberries are the fastest growing segment of the berry category for us. In addition to the incredible growth of existing blueberry packs, new packs such as our ‘Green Giant Fresh’ brand blueberries with the ‘Box Tops for Education’ label are increasing sales. This equates to more profit for retailers.”

Gourmet Trading’s import blueberry program begins in September, with certain varities lasting all the way until April. Pictured to the left is Green Giant’s 11-ounce clamshell. (Photo courtesy of Gourmet Trading)

Box Tops for Education is a not-for-profit organization that has helped America’s schools earn over $475 million since 1996. Cash is earned for the schools that consumers want to support by clipping Box Tops coupons from hundreds of participating products.

Gourmet Trading ships its extensive lines of berries and asparagus from numerous locations across the United States.

The company is highly recognized for its dedication to social responsibility, believing that happy and healthy employees are important to prosper as a company. Gourmet Trading has and continues to do a tremendous amount of work in Peru to help the children of the farm laborers at its farms there.

It also boasts its commitment to environmental responsibility, stating that as an international company, it understands that the cost and detrimental effects of high carbon dioxide emissions. It also takes the environment into consideration when creating its packaging.

Food safety is vital to everyone associated with Gourmet Trading Co., from its growers to consumers. All of its farms and grower partners are certified through the Global Food Safety Initiative. It further ensures the safety of its asparagus and blueberries by having its farms, grower partners and packing houses operate under HACCP and Good Agricultural Practices standards.

Quality too is always kept in mind at Gourmet Trading. The company provides customers with quality product by classifying the size and weight of its asparagus and blueberries while maintaining a full quality control team year-round at its Los Angeles and Miami facilities.

Chloé Varennes, marketing and packaging administrator for the company said, “Gourmet Trading Co. imports blueberries from Argentina, Chile and Uruguay.”

“The largest of these three regions are in Chile, followed by Argentina and, the latest addition, Uruguay,” added Mr. Hulsey.

Ms. Varennes noted, “Our import blueberry program begins in September with Argentinean blueberries. Then in October we will begin to receive blueberries from Uruguay and Chile. Uruguay and Argentina blueberry season should end around the end of December. The Chilean blueberry season will last until April.”