Institute of Food Technologists Meeting - New Orelans

Each year, USHBC exhibits at the annual meeting of the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT).    The meetings are rotated from areas of food processing, such as Chicago and Minneapolis to destinations such as Las Vegas, Orlando.  This year the meeting was held in New Orleans, Lousiana.
Did you know that blueberries are grown in the South, not far from the Crescent City.    Drive north towards Poplarville, Mississippi and you will drive right through the growing region.   Most of the blueberries produced in the area are from a Southern native species called Vaccinium Ashei.  This member of the highbush blueberry family is native to the south and is found in East Texas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and Louisiana and Alabama.   The blueberry is commonly called the "rabbiteye"  because the unique look of the calyx.   For the IFT meeting, we had the pleasure of working with the local growers and Mr. Ethan Goggans of Sandy Run Farm in Purvis, Mississippi helped out with the booth and did an excellent job.   He brought several blueberry plants from the farm which were on display and this was a big hit -- especially with foreign visitors.  http://www.sandyrunfarms.com/    Note: the Mississippi State University cowbell on display at the booth.

Fresh Blueberries for Foodservice in Japan!

Japan is the largest offshore marketfor highbush blueberries fromm the USA.   Fresh blueberries are available year round and are found in supermarkets, convenience stores and hypermarkets.    Now, here is a new development.   Family restaurant chain: Johnathans features fresh blueberries on the daily menu!    The item uses fresh Hokkaido creme and fresh blueberries!    Will be featured all over Japan this summer and hopefully beyond!

Beauty from Within in Vietnam

Vietnam is a country of vast natural beauty!   Now, it looks like blueberries are becomming the ingredient of choice for foods which are "good for the skin."   All over Asia, manufacturers are producing products which contain ingredients which are associated with skin care.   They call the topical applications "Skin Food" and consumed foods: "Beauty from Within."   Here are just a few new products with blueberries introduced in Vietnam which contain Blueberries!'

Beauty Yogurt!

 Drink for beautiful skin with blueberry and collagen!

Beauty Yogurt

Return to Whitesbog

Whitesbog, New Jersey is the place where the highbush blueberry business began a century ago.   Elizabeth White, a cranberry farmer walked down a narrow road from her home to the cranberry bogs each day and dreamed about someday cultivating the "wild" highbush blueberries which grow abundently in the Jersey Pinelands.    Her dream came true and today you can still see the original experimental plantations at the Whitesbog Village.    The beautiful farm is located about one hr to the north of Hammonton, New Jersey which is touted to be the Blueberry Capital of the World!   Check out the website at:
http://www.whitesbog.org

Set your GPS to: 120 W Whites Bogs Rd #34, Browns Mills, NJ 08015
The journey is well worth the drive!

Fresh Blueberries to the Middle East

Five years ago, I visited Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, and could not find a single blueberry in produce or products.   Things have changed.   Fresh blueberries are in all  of the larger hypermarkets throughout the region including Lu Lu, Spinneys, Carefour and Geant.  
Check out some photos from grocery stores in Dubai.  (Sorry for the quality as I was in a rush and wanted to take before getting kicked out of the store0.

                                          Dubai grocery store entrance

                                          Shopper choosing fresh blueberries

                                          Typical berry display!  Huge!

                                         Check out the frozen polybags.   All of the blue bags are blueberries!

Great Value!

Our current message to the food industry: Supply + Demand = opportunity!  The message is catching on and more and more food processors are adding more blueberry to new and traditional items.   Check out this "Great Value" bar sold at WALMART.   Blueberries identification all over the pack.   Check out the ingredient statement and the filling is made from a blueberry puree concentrate as one of the top ingredients!  This product has a very nice flavor and blueberry aroma and will satisfy the consumer demand for real blueberries!  
 

The Real Deal!

In my work with the Blueberry Council, I get to travel around the country meeting  producers and food processors.   We have strategic plans, focus groups, meetings...   At a recent conference I ran into Rob Richert of Richert Blueberries in Spring Lake, Michigan.   This is near Grand Haven, Michigan on the West Coast of Lake Michigan.  His family has been growing blueberries for three generations.  Bob handed me a jar of his Blueberry Preserves.   On the attractive label it says: "Fresh berries from our bushes to your table."   On the ingredient statement: Michigan Blueberries, pure cane sugar, pectin and fruit (Citric) acid.   Blueberries are the primary ingredient and this is what you get when you open the jar.  It has a great aroma and blueberry flavor. Rob -- thank you and you got this one right!!!