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Gourmet Trading buys large California blueberry farm
United States
Monday 28 April 2008
Los Angeles-based Gourmet Trading Co. has acquired one of California's larger blueberry operations, including substantial plantings and packing capacity.
The purchase moves Gourmet Trading closer to being one of the largest growers, packers and shippers of fresh blueberries in California. Chris Martin, president and chief executive officer of Gourmet Trading, said that the company sees its acquisition of the blueberry operation as key to its ongoing growth in the blueberry market.
"Gourmet Blueberry California, being planted with superior varieties, will not only yield the best-tasting blueberries available but will also yield a constant supply of the larger-sized blueberries for our super blues programs," Mr. Martin said.
Prior to the acquisition, Gourmet Trading's marketing and merchandising manager, Julia Inestroza, told The Produce News in late March that Gourmet expected to have significant volumes of California-grown blueberries this year. She said then that the company's blueberry program has enjoyed "exponential growth" and that blueberry demand "outweighs supplies."
Gourmet Trading grows conventional blueberries year round and works mostly with retailers. The company's "Super Blues" often are bigger than the 16-millimeter standard for super-sized blueberries and can equal the size of two regular-sized blueberries. Ms. Inestroza said that foodservice especially likes them.
"Gourmet Trading" brand blueberries and super blues will be available through early July.
Scott Hulsey, berry procurement manager for Gourmet, said that the company's packing operation "has the most advanced equipment on the market with soft sorting, color sorting and traceability to each clamshell."
Gourmet Sales Manager Brian Miller said the company would have "promotable volumes this year as well as new pack styles that will give both retail and foodservice customers different options and exactly what they need."
The purchase moves Gourmet Trading closer to being one of the largest growers, packers and shippers of fresh blueberries in California. Chris Martin, president and chief executive officer of Gourmet Trading, said that the company sees its acquisition of the blueberry operation as key to its ongoing growth in the blueberry market.
"Gourmet Blueberry California, being planted with superior varieties, will not only yield the best-tasting blueberries available but will also yield a constant supply of the larger-sized blueberries for our super blues programs," Mr. Martin said.
Prior to the acquisition, Gourmet Trading's marketing and merchandising manager, Julia Inestroza, told The Produce News in late March that Gourmet expected to have significant volumes of California-grown blueberries this year. She said then that the company's blueberry program has enjoyed "exponential growth" and that blueberry demand "outweighs supplies."
Gourmet Trading grows conventional blueberries year round and works mostly with retailers. The company's "Super Blues" often are bigger than the 16-millimeter standard for super-sized blueberries and can equal the size of two regular-sized blueberries. Ms. Inestroza said that foodservice especially likes them.
"Gourmet Trading" brand blueberries and super blues will be available through early July.
Scott Hulsey, berry procurement manager for Gourmet, said that the company's packing operation "has the most advanced equipment on the market with soft sorting, color sorting and traceability to each clamshell."
Gourmet Sales Manager Brian Miller said the company would have "promotable volumes this year as well as new pack styles that will give both retail and foodservice customers different options and exactly what they need."
