Berry People, a year-round organic berry shipper, has set the stage for a smooth transition into Santa Maria and Watsonville production in California following a healthy organic strawberry season out of Baja. Berry People said it’s California acreage is getting off to a fruitful start where light harvest has begun, with ramp up expected for the end of April.
"We are fortunate to have the Baja acreage base for the January-April window, as the region provides us with a very high-quality berry, giving us time to work through early-season weather patterns in California," said Jerald Downs, Berry People President. "As part of Berry People’s ‘go-to-market’ mission to provide a year-round, balanced portfolio of branded organic berries, we are building our ‘transitional overlaps’ of production in key commodity growing areas. Santa Maria, for example, is a strategic and necessary complement to our offerings out of Baja, Jalisco and Michoacán."
Since starting operations last November, Berry People has been gradually expanding its "four-berry footprint," cultivating the quality, reach and diversity of U.S. and Canadian distribution and supporting it with production from shareholders and key grower alliances in Mexico and California.
"While the company is new to the market, the partners have come together to establish a solid toehold with key customers and growers, allowing us to sustain an ‘every day’ market presence, working towards a steady provision of quality, continuity and convenience to each of our valued customers," said Downs.
The company said its success to date is allowing it to move forward with plans to increase acreage for next season and to further balance its four-berry mix as it ramps up into the fourth quarter of this year.
"The overwhelming response to our offering and market presence has been both encouraging and challenging, as there is much precise work that still needs to be completed," added Downs. "The market’s demand to have these various regions, products and players brought together is apparent, but the empathy, creativity and tenacity required to do so effectively can easily be underestimated. Thankfully, we are able to move the vision forward as a combined and coordinated team effort from our employees, service providers, customers and growers alike."
For more information:
Jerald Downs
Berry People
Tel: +1 (831) 245-3500