Naturipe Farms LLC, Salinas, hopes to move the blueberry industry toward using a 1-pound clamshell as its base pack, similar to the way the strawberry industry moved out of pint baskets to 1-pounders several years ago.

“Blueberry acreage keeps growing, so we need to move from the pint,” said Kyla Oberman, marketing manager.

The 1-pound pack was one of several new items from the company at the Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit 2014.

Naturipe also had heat-seal lids for its berries in 18- and 32-ounce trays, which have 40% less plastic than traditional clamshells, Oberman said.

Also in packaging, Naturipe has a new compostable base for blueberry packages as part of its sustainability initiative.

She said the company is expanding its ready-to-eat line Jan. 1 to include blueberry and grape packs and blueberry and mango packs.

And starting in spring, Naturipe plans to incorporate the Sesame Street Eat Brighter! Campaign on its packaging.

Photo: The Packer

10/23/2014

The Packer