TRAVERSE CITY, MI - Shortly after announcing it has welcomed two new Managers to its leadership team, North Bay Produce has more updates to share, this time regarding its crops. So let’s take a tour of the international grower-owned cooperative’s current production, shall we?

First, the producer provided an update on its value-added vegetables, sharing how it has optimized the latest technology to increase efficiency and boost the quality and freshness of its French beans.

“We believe in transparency and partnerships,” said John Battle, Vegetable Category Manager. “By utilizing high-tech facilities, we are able to bring fresh French beans straight from the farm to our consumers’ tables, all while ensuring quality, safety, and environmental responsibility. This commitment to responsible farming, along with innovation in agriculture, allows us to offer customers a unique and sustainable way to enjoy fresh produce.”

Next up on the list is blackberries. North Bay recently pulled back the curtain on another premier berry variety—Erandy. After seeing consistently positive results in worldwide taste tests, the grower has announced domestic plantings are coming soon, featured under North Bay’s RÈSERVE™ brand. According to the company’s release, the tonnage of this variety is superior to other commercial varieties, allowing North Bay’s family of growers to have a more extended season.

And while we’re on the topic of berries, North Bay’s strawberries are a hit out of Mexico and Florida. The supplier’s Category Manager Aaron Hunter reported Mexico has had the longest harvest and will continue to produce through March. Florida is at its peak and will continue through April. North Bay’s strawberries are offered in 1 and 2 lb clamshells, both conventional and organic.

On the blueberry front, North Bay has reported a slower start to the season than usual as Florida is just beginning to harvest due to the New Year’s cold snap. Despite these weather challenges, the provider still has plenty of fruit to offer. With bushes loaded in its Georgia growing regions and North Carolina also greening up quickly, the company could see record volumes this year.

The grower-owned cooperative also gave us a look at its Michigan apple production, noting that it currently has six packing sheds running apples for March with bags, bins, totes, tray-pack, and pouches available.

“One of the greatest cross-merchandising options for apples is a main aisle display with apples and caramel apple dip on the ends or ribboned into the display,” shares Ken Korson, Apple Category Manager. “Evercrisp and Fuji are great varieties to promote during this time of year because they make exceptional dipping apples and are extremely hard and sweet.”

As more crop updates pop up across the world of fresh, get the latest updates here at ANUK.

North Bay Produce