In this issue:
- From the Chair: NABC Publishes First-Ever Impact Report
- Board Profile: NABC Vice Chair Teddy Koukoulis
- Don’t Miss Your Member-Only Crop Report
- USHBC Releases 2024 International Blueberry MRL Memo
- USDA Foods: Want USDA to Buy Your Food Product?
- New Member Welcome
From the Chair: NABC Publishes First-Ever Impact Report
By Pat Goin
NABC Chair
Last month, NABC released its first-ever impact report focused on our work in 2023. The 18-page report details a year’s worth of efforts toward meeting our mission of being the united voice, advocate and resource serving the interests of the highbush blueberry industry.
The report includes coverage of our programs and events, advocacy efforts, membership benefit improvements, financials, supporter contributions, data and insights efforts, and annual awards. Plus, you’ll get a look at the thought leaders who are serving on NABC committees and see a long list of 2023 achievements, including:
- Launching an advocacy platform to help growers remain successful and competitive.
- Hiring Washington, D.C.-based Monument Advocacy.
- Hiring NABC’s first Director of Government Affairs, Alyssa Houtby.
- Launching Grab A Boost of Blue retail marketing programs that resulted in measurable growth.
- Launching fresh and frozen blueberry data platforms.
- Increasing nutrition affairs efforts to drive awareness with policymakers and regulators about the health benefits of blueberries.
- Working to improve the Department of Health & Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) dietary guidelines used for government procurement programs to include subcategories for fruits.
The NABC experienced unprecedented growth in 2023, focusing on membership development, events and expanding advocacy efforts on behalf of our members.
I’m proud of what we achieved and that – as the report demonstrates – by working together, we’re moving the blueberry industry forward by leaps and bounds. I encourage you to explore this exclusive member report which you can download below.
Board Profile: NABC Vice Chair Teddy Koukoulis
1. What was your first job in blueberries?
Operations manager at Sunny Ridge Farms.
2. What makes you passionate about the industry?
I think it’s the people that make me passionate. Growers are so optimistic and passionate about blueberries, it’s very easy to feel that. Blueberries are so good for you and they taste great. It’s not very difficult to be passionate about something you believe in.
3. What do you love about your job?
I always go back to the people. It’s the relationships and friendships you gather along the way.
4. What’s one of your goals for being on the board?
Honestly, it’s to make a difference. To work with other passionate growers, marketers and industry professionals to lead our industry to new heights.
5. If you weren’t in the blueberry business, what would you be doing?
As a former professional golfer, I would like to be in the golf business.
Don’t Miss Your Member-Only Crop Report
At The Blueberry Convention last month, NABC released its annual crop report, and it’s now available for members to download!
This comprehensive report would not be possible without the contributions of dedicated regional representatives who work with NABC year-round to provide timely insights on production estimates in their growing regions.
A huge thank you goes out to:
Brittany Lee, Florida
Lisa Winther, Georgia
Kristen Brinkely, North Carolina
Alec Arena, New Jersey
Pat Goin, Indiana
George Fritz, Michigan
Todd Sanders, California
Ellie Norris, Oregon
Alan Schreiber, Washington
Jason Smith, British Columbia
Jean-Pierre Senneville, Lowbush/Wild
Rodrigo Aceves, México
Sebastian Carmona, Chile
Daniel Bustamante, Peru
Download this exclusive member-only report now to get an in-depth look at the state of the blueberry industry!
USHBC Releases 2024 International Blueberry MRL Memo
As the 2024 blueberry season is underway and crop protection decisions are being made, the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) worked with Bryant Christie Inc. (BCI) to provide the U.S. blueberry industry with an international blueberry maximum residue level (MRL) memo for major export markets.
This memo provides blueberry growers and shippers with relevant information on blueberry MRLs in key export markets. It includes the latest blueberry MRLs through March 26, 2024, in the United States, Australia, Canada, China, the European Union, Great Britain , India, Japan, Korea, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam. The memo is divided into sections by country, and for each country includes: the active ingredient, trade name, the U.S. highbush blueberry MRL, the foreign country MRL, data on how much of the product has been applied, and residue data available from USDA. Cases where a residue might potentially exceed an MRL are highlighted.
The memo also includes whether the chemical is included in the country’s residue testing list. This information comes from official monitoring lists and is subject to change. Not all markets publish such lists.
The USHBC, in partnership with BCI, hopes this memo will be useful to the U.S. blueberry growers and shippers, and wishes the industry success in the 2024 season.
Want USDA to Buy Your Food Product?
The USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Commodity Procurement Program invites you to join a webinar on April 18 from 2-3 p.m. ET to learn how to get your product considered for USDA Foods Programs. The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) will provide a step-by-step outline of the key criteria that must be met before a vendor submits a request. AMS will discuss the process and timeline to add a new food to the Foods Available List (FAL).
FNS administers the USDA Foods Programs and oversees the FAL. AMS works with FNS to purchase a predetermined list of USDA Foods products. If your product is not purchased by USDA, this webinar is for you!
FNS considers several factors before adding new foods to the FAL. The process is extensive and requires collaboration and coordination with multiple stakeholders. Not all products end up being the right fit for USDA Foods, and this webinar will equip vendors with the tools and knowledge they need to conduct a self-audit of their product for compatibility with USDA Foods.
Registration is required to attend, and space is limited. Once you register using the links below, you can submit questions in advance of the webinar.
If you have questions about the registration process, contact Andrea Lang or Diana Dau David at [email protected].
If you’re hosting a blueberry industry event, we’d love to jump in and help promote it. Email Kristy Babb at [email protected] with all the details and we’ll include your event in our next newsletter.