Superfresh Growers has jumped into the hot Northwest blueberry deal in a new partnership with Norris Farms blueberries from the Umpqua River Valley in Oregon.
“Our partnership with Norris Farms is an ideal match. We are both multi-generational family farms with collective farming, sales and logistical experience. The climate in Southern Oregon gives us something special. We are able to go longer than other areas, all the way from June through October,” said Catherine Gipe-Stewart, communications manager for Yakima, WA-based Superfresh Growers. The program will include both conventional and organic berries.
Known for its warm sunny days and evenings, the Umpqua River Valley is cooled by coastal breezes, which makes it an ideal climate for quality blueberry production. This results in low summer humidity, which reduces the risk of condition and quality problems and extends the harvest season.
Norris Farms, a family-owned business based in Roseburg, OR, is recognized worldwide for its quality blueberries.
To complement these uniquely premium blueberries, Superfresh Growers has deployed a state-of-the-art MAF Industries optical blueberry sorter, one of the first on the West Coast. Designed explicitly to improve quality and food-safety, the touchless system includes 24 sorting lanes. The optical sorter scans individual berries, taking 54 images per berry, in order to determine firmness and size.
“Our blueberry sorting line precisely removes soft and green fruit,” said Gipe-Stewart. “Other than removing a few sticks and leaves at the front of the line, our touchless system eliminates the need for human eyes or touch. This ensures that our fruit is not handled after harvest.
“Blueberry season is the same timing as our cherries, so we can offer the two biggest summer fruits at the same time,” continued Gipe-Stewart. “Norris Farms blueberries are known internationally for their quality, which is why we are co-branding. The combination of two multi-generational companies comes with years of knowledge and expertise — it’ll be an exciting summer.”
