Blueberries are a key item at Frank Donio Inc., backed by nine decades of family-owned experience.

“Being headquartered in Hammonton, NJ, blueberries have been a focal point of our company for 90 years,” said Alec Arena, sales specialist for Frank Donio Inc. “We handle conventional, organic and frozen blueberries.”

As the top producer of blueberries in the world, Naturipe Farms grows, packs and sells blueberries 52 weeks a year, so the category is a key component to its full berry portfolio.

“The blueberries coming from New Jersey are a big part of our year-round availability,” said Brian Bocock, vice president of product management for Naturipe Farms. Bocock has been involved in the production and management of blueberries for more than 45 years.

Sunny Valley International is a supplier of imported and domestic blueberries, with strong supplies in the category 12-months a year.

“Our import program includes programs out of Peru, Chile and Mexico,” said Tom Beaver, director of sales and marketing for the Glassboro, NJ-based company. “Domestically, we supply berries out of the Southeast, the West Coast and British Columbia, but our most noteworthy domestic program is our New Jersey deal.”

Grapeco Farms LLC, a new venture that was formed this year by industry vets Robert Cadena and Jared Lane, is working to offer a year-round supply of high-flavor tri-color varieties to retailers.

“We set out to have the best quality fruit for the correct customers,” said Jared Lane, CEO for the Delano, CA-based company.

Together, Lane and Cadena offer a combined 50 years of experience and a united philosophy of providing the highest quality grapes to customers while maximizing the return to the grower. 

D’Ottavio Farms grows and distributes some of the finest produce in southern New Jersey, and one of its key commodities in the summer months is blueberries.

After a year where blueberries had some unique challenges for most growers, the Vineland, NJ-based company is liking what it sees from this year’s upcoming season.

Top Brass is a fourth-generation family farming operation that has been leaving its trusted mark in the grape industry for more than 80 years, handling all aspects of growing, harvesting, cooling, storage, shipping and sales, with fresh table grapes from the central valley of California harvested starting in July and continuing into December.