“Our full integration began just about five years ago when we also became our own shipping organization, rather than growing strawberries for another shipping organization,” said Anthony Gallino, vice president of sales. “Since 2019, we have grown significantly in size and in reputation.”
Today’s consumer, he added, wants strawberries all year long.
“That means our retail partners need suppliers that can provide year-round availability,” Gallino said. “The only way to accomplish that is for us to have a fall berry program, and our program in both Santa Maria and Oxnard allows us the opportunity to provide our customers with year-round strawberries from California.”
This year to date, the state — and Bobalu — has produced much more volume than the last two years. For example, the state has produced approximately 8-9 million trays of strawberries a week consistently since late April.
“That results in a lot of fruit in the pipeline, and if retailers don’t price strawberries accordingly, the demand does not keep up with the volume,” Gallino said. “We had a few rough weeks in late spring as retailers had to catch up with aggressive pricing to draw in shoppers, but things have leveled off now.”
Bobalu has spent the last few years stepping up its efforts and achievements in sustainability, beginning with a focus on protecting the land it farms and reducing waste.
“Specifically, we initiated a policy to harvest every berry off the plant and not just throw lower quality fruit into the furrow,” Gallino said. “Whether the fruit goes into the fresh box or a bucket to be diverted to the processor, our employees are committed to harvesting every berry off the plants to ensure there is no waste, and to keep the plants free from pests by not just dropping lesser quality fruit into the ditch.”
Overall, this reduces waste, increases productivity and the harvest staff also is paid extra for additional fruit harvested.
Last year, the company redesigned its packaging and is now utilizing 95 percent post-consumer recycled plastics in its clamshells. It also successfully shifted its label material to fully recyclable labels.
“The box and packaging configuration we now utilize allows for more fruit per truckload and that has already resulted in reduced gas emissions of about 11,000 fewer miles each year,” Gallino said.
Additionally, Bobalu had some customers ask to join its sustainability effort, so they embraced its programs and have seen some significant results in working together on sustainability.
For instance, one customer recently reported that the work together has resulted in 1,4 million metric tons of C02 equivalent emissions saved.
“We look forward to more achievements in the future and plan to continue to increase our in-roads in this area,” Gallino said.
The company feels lucky to have such great retail partners that work with it on annual contract pricing.
“We work hard together to share information, goals, forecasts, etc., to ensure the shopper has the best fruit and consistent availability all season long,” Gallino said. “By having these contract partnerships, we are not scrambling trying to sell fruit on the open market, but instead we continue to build loyalty and trust through honest communication.”
Looking ahead, Bobalu Berries will continue to stay focused on sustainability and watch consumer trends to stay relevant with shoppers. “We are always testing new varieties and continue our search for the perfect strawberry,” Gallino said. “It’s a journey that will never end since new varieties come and go every year.”
