The Blueberry Industry Is Heading to Tucson!
Registration and housing for The Blueberry Convention, Feb. 28-March 1 in Tucson, Arizona, are open.
At this event, you’ll hear from thought leaders who have the inside track on what’s happening in the blueberry industry, have time to make new connections and rekindle friendships, and (drumroll please) participate in the second Annual Grab a Boost of Blue Golf Tournament.
Our events are expanding exponentially, so you’ll want to sign up to join your blueberry peers in Tucson right away! Plus, we're always adding fresh ways to learn, grow, and succeed, so now’s the time to get in on the action. Register today and learn more at nabc.blueberry.org/events.
USHBC Hosts Foodservice Operators at Behind the Blueberry Experience
This fall, the USHBC hosted the second annual Behind the Blueberry Experience, showcasing the growing region of Northern Washington and British Columbia.
The goal of the tour was to immerse high-volume foodservice operators in all aspects of the blueberry industry, allowing them to see and experience firsthand blueberry cultivation, harvest, packing and processing. Plus, attendees enjoyed blueberry culinary inspiration at every meal.
Participants also partook in a culinary competition based on inspiration from the event to get their creative juices flowing and to encourage them to think about blueberry applications to add to their menus when they return home.
This year’s attendees represented some of the top chains in the country by volume, including:
· Sonic Drive-In (3541 units)
· Jamba (797 units)
· Cinnabon (673 units)
· MOD Pizza (561 units)
· First Watch (500+ units)
· Carvel Ice Cream Cakes (358 units)
· Huddle House (339 units)
· Farmer Boys (101 units)
· Modern Market / Lemonade (60 units)
· True Food Kitchen (45 locations)
· Dessert Holdings (food manufacturing company, major manufacturer of desserts sold to foodservice restaurants)
· Tillamook (food manufacturing company, ice cream R&D attending)
As a result of last year’s event, multiple attendees menued new blueberry items – and we anticipate the same great result from this year’s event. We look forward to working with this year’s attendees to bring more blueberries to menus nationwide!
Don’t Miss USHBC’s Weekly Crop Reports
Tune in to “The Business of Blueberries” podcast, https://ushbc.blueberry.org/podcast, each week to listen to a blueberry crop report from Brittany Lee, vice president of Florida Blue Farms, and others.
It’s a turnkey way to get helpful data on the state of the crop! Plus, our weekly podcast includes a guest from the blueberry industry discussing a hot topic, innovation or insight into the industry. Listen every week wherever you get your podcasts!
