The Giumarra Companies is kicking off its domestic berry season with ample supplies.
“Spring is always an exciting time of year for us, as we proudly start featuring our berries from local growers,” says Tom Richardson, senior vice president global development for The Giumarra Companies, noting that the company offers conventional and organic blueberries along with conventional blackberries.
“We see a very nice-looking blackberry crop shaping up beginning in May from Georgia, then continuing with good supplies of quality fruit from North Carolina, New Jersey and into late season product from Tennessee, Pennsylvania and Ohio,” says Richardson. “Our late season supplies from Tennessee and Ohio are always especially in strong demand as volumes become more limited during the late summer. These origins give us a great bridge to the start of the new season of our Mexican supplies again during the fall.”
On blueberries, locally grown blueberries are currently in production in Georgia; production will continue from there to New Jersey and Michigan on the East Coast, as well as California, Oregon, Washington and British Columbia on the West Coast.
Blueberries and blackberries are helping fill the gap for the current shortage of strawberries as retailers continue to promote and push the berry patch in their stores.
Supplies pick up
Overall, supplies of domestic blueberries and imported blackberries in the marketplace are growing. Through the company’s Nature’s Partner label, Giumarra offers year-round blueberries and blackberries across the U.S. and Canada, and they can be packed according to customers’ specifications.
As for demand, Richardson says that blueberries and blackberries are helping fill the gap for the current shortage of strawberries as retailers continue to promote and push the berry patch in their stores.
Left to right: Tom Richardson, Kristina Lorusso.
Promoting nutrition
Kristina Lorusso, regional business development director for The Giumarra Companies, notes that key selling points regarding nutrition, flavor and ease of use will continue to help drive demand for berries at retail.
“Blueberries and blackberries have a fantastic nutritional story to tell,” says Lorusso. “Consumers are very aware of their high antioxidant properties and potential disease-fighting benefits. In their continued efforts to positively impact their health with the food they eat, shoppers are seeking the benefits berries have to offer.”
She added that the company works with grocery retailers across a variety of fresh categories to develop content that highlights nutrition.
For more information:
Megan Gorgisheli
The Giumarra Companies
Tel: +1 (213) 627-2900 ext. 1010
Megan.Gorgisheli@giumarra.com
www.giumarra.com
www.naturespartner.com