Oct 11, 2023

Naturipe introduces “Sweet Selections” premium berries line

Naturipe Farms is selling upscale blueberries and blackberries through a new premium line.

Sweet Selections is the latest addition to the berry grower-shipper’s premium product portfolio. The Sweet Selections line will feature Naturipe’s proprietary berry varieties that have been meticulously bred and selected for high flavor and overall eating experience, according to a news release.

Varieties under the Sweet Selections portfolio will be packaged in new, clear labels and will be available in a range of packaging sizes, depending on the berry. Naturipe will add strawberry, blueberry, blackberry, and raspberry varieties to the Sweet Selections portfolio, according to the release.

“Naturipe’s berry products have become familiar favorites, but we are excited to introduce the Sweet Selections line that delivers high-quality, inventive, mouthwatering flavor to retailers and consumers,” John Johnston, Naturipe’s director of premium products, said in the release. “Our premium products portfolio is robust and the addition of our new Sweet Selections line will have shoppers lining up at their local retailers for berries with industry-leading flavor and eating experience.”

Naturipe Farms and its grower-owners develop new berry varieties, having developed many unique premium products for the market in the past several years, according to the release. Those include the quarter-sized Mighty Blues blueberries and jumbo Mighty Reds strawberries, as well as newer varieties including greenhouse strawberries, Sweet Selections blackberries, and other new products expected to be introduce soon, according to the release.

“We’re thrilled to launch the Sweet Selections line and to offer customers limited-availability berries with great flavor that lives up to the name,” Jim Roberts, Naturipe’s president of sales, said in the release. “We’ve previewed the great taste that can be expected from our Sweet Selections line with some of our newest, high flavor proprietary blueberry varieties this summer. We can’t wait for our retailers to stock up on these best-in-class berries and watch them fly off the shelves.”

Naturipe planned to displaye the new products to retail buyer attendees of the Oct. 19-21 International Fresh Produce Association’s Global Produce & Floral Show in Anaheim, California.

Based in Salinas, California, Naturipe Farms is a large producer of berries, including a full line of conventional and organic fresh and processed strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and cranberries as well as value-added products including snack packs. Processed products include frozen, concentrates, purees, dried infused and powders. Naturipe also grows avocados.

Naturipe is a partnership between four North and South American berry grower operations in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and South America: Michigan Blueberry Growers, Naturipe Berry Growers, Munger Farms and Hortifruit S.A.