Jam Stand Blue Dynamo Award Winner!

Here are two very proud Blueberry Innovators!   

Meet: Ms. Jessica Quon and Ms. Sabrina Valle, Co-Founders of the The Jam Stand in Brooklyn, NY

We met up with the duo at the recent East Coast Fancy Foods Fair and  presented the Little Blue Dynamo Award for the spreads category!

"On behalf of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council, representing 3,500 growers in 33 states, we are pleased to present the Little Blue Dynamos Product Award to The Jam Stand.  My Boy Blueberry Bourbon Jam is a winner.  This innovative flavor combination is filled with natural blueberry goodness.  In fact blueberries are the first ingredient on the label!  Kudos on the use of tasty blueberries, the attractively designed packaging and product suggestions which make My Boy Blueberry Bourbon Jam enticing--or, in your words, jamazing!

Congratulations and thank you for using blueberries."

First NABC Fresh Blueberry Campaign in Japan

Now I am getting sentimental!  Here is the first trade advertisement that NABC placed in a Japan produce magazine in 1996.  Interesting that the ad focused on antioxidants and health!

Blueberry Baby Food Category Rises

Everyone wants the best for baby!   Check out the rapidly rising blueberry baby food category.   Already in 2016 -- we are seeing rapid use of blueberry puree in ready to eat meals.

Gluten Free Products Go Global -- often include blueberries!

We have been watching the "gluten free" trend the last few years.   Where it used to be a small category occupied by horrible textured and tasting foods -- it is now mainstream.    Now, we are seeing this more and more in Europe and it is starting in Asia as well.  We are continually getting calls from bakers looking to enhance gluten-free baked goods.   Blueberries add flavor, moisture and a wonderful texture!   You do not have to be gluten intolerant to enjoy!
We like the red-white and blue packaging!

Functional Confectionery

Check out this new chocolate item from Japanese and Korean confectionery giant Lotte!    Blueberries are combined with lutein which is associated (by the manufacturer) with eyesight improvement.

What impact can one major new product introduction make?

The jump in the "blue bar" which is dried highbush coincided with the months in advance of Lotte's new product introduction.    This company is a regular stop in USHBC Japan Food Tech activities.    The record amount of 2.9 million lbs. is  a 159% gain over 2012.   The shipments of dried highbush blueberries in the first four months of 2016 are (1.7 million lbs) or 192% higher than the same time in 2015!    

What does this mean for blueberry growers and frozen packers.   The 2.9 million lbs of dried highbush blueberries sent to Japan required more than 10.5 million lbs of frozen blueberries to produce.  (it takes 3.5 lbs of frozen or fresh blueberries to make one lb of dried-infused blueberries).

We should note that lowbush dried blueberries have been strong in Japan for some time.    Note that the lowbush continue to sell well in the snack category.  Much of the rise in highbush dried is destined to the high value confectionery industry where the larger berries are ideal for confectionery panning.

Stay tuned, there is a lot of room for growth for highbush blueberries in the Japan ingredient market!

Blueberries in Native American/First Nation's Food Traditions

Blueberries are truly a Native American treasure.   Check out the latest online newsletter: Berry Latest for an interesting story on blueberries in the Native American/First Nations diet.
http://www.blueberrytech.org/berrylatest/may-jun2016.html

We are: BLUEBERRIES!

Blueberries are gaining popularity around the globe as an ingredient.   The terminology used on packs has been a challenge!   Different countries and different names!   Here is an example of how the word "blueberry: is beginning to take off in France -- a land where the term 'myrtille" has commonly been used.  The problem -- this is the proper name for the local wild bilberry.   This wonderful blueberry product is a nice development and we expect to see more!