California blueberry growers had a good season, with the crop arriving at the right time to get a good price. Kasey Cronquist of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council and North American Blueberry Council spoke with Matthew Malcolm from California Fruit & Vegetable about some of the ways his organizations are promoting American blueberries and helping growers, including September’s Blueberry Convention in Monterey. Watch this quick video and learn more in California Fruit and Vegetable Magazine.
Tag: Blueberry Convention
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Blueberry Convention Coming to Monterey
The Blueberry Convention is the largest gathering of the blueberry industry in the U.S. — and this year’s event is packed with insights, connections and experiences designed to help move the industry forward.
Guests will be able to:
- Get the latest category data, insights and economic outlooks to guide your operations.
- See how the Blueberries GO BIG campaign is driving demand.
- Learn about the organizations’ health research focus on cognitive health.
- Experience the energy of the Blueberry Boost Accelerator live pitch competition.
- Join the USHBC Council and NABC Board meetings on Wednesday.
New for 2026
The USHBC and NABC are bringing some new features and opportunities to Monterey this year. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s ahead:
Tech Tuesday
Explore emerging and advancing technologies shaping the future of the blueberry industry during this special education session organized by the BerrySmart Technology Task Force. Over the course of two hours, attendees will gain insight into innovations, tools and ideas designed to support on-farm efficiency, data-driven decision-making and long-term industry progress.
Blueberry Night at the Monterey Bay Aquarium
A one-of-a-kind strolling dinner as the blueberry industry takes over the aquarium. Enjoy chef-curated food stations, coastal views and access to incredible exhibits — all in a vibrant setting designed for connection and celebration.
Meet, Eat and Explore
An open lunch in the heart of the convention action. With seating throughout the common areas near Blueberry Lane and Blueberry Row, it’s the perfect chance to grab a bite, connect with exhibitors and spend time with fellow attendees.
Blueberry Boardroom
The Blueberry Boardroom will offer a dedicated space to meet with colleagues, host team conversations or hold business meetings throughout the event. Advance booking is encouraged.
Blueberries & Beyond: A Central Coast Tour
The convention will wrap up with an on-the-ground look at agriculture in the Monterey area. This industry tour will give guests the opportunity to explore blueberry-related production, while also experiencing the broader agricultural landscape of California’s Central Coast.
Guests also have access to favorites from past events, including the Blueberry Boost Accelerator live pitch competition (back by popular demand), the NABC Awards and the USHBC Elizabeth White Award, the BerryFit Club 5k and yoga, keynotes and education sessions.
— Story contributed by the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council and the North American Blueberry Council
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Innovative Startups Selected for Blueberry Boost Accelerator’s Inaugural Cohort
The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC), in partnership with VentureFuel, have announced the four companies selected for the inaugural cohort of the Blueberry Boost Accelerator. Each startup was chosen by a selection panel of blueberry industry leaders for its bold use of blueberries in innovative products that span wellness, fun snacking formats and better-for-you indulgence — offering novel, exciting ways for consumers to enjoy blueberries.
The Blueberry Boost Accelerator was launched earlier this year to fuel forward-thinking product innovation and elevate blueberries as a hero ingredient by supporting visionary startups. From functional nutrition to clean-label desserts, this inaugural cohort exemplifies the future of the power of blueberries.
The 2025 Blueberry Boost Accelerator cohort includes:
• Bonny Prebiotic Fiber Powder (New York, NY) — A clean-label, prebiotic fiber powder with a blueberry-infused flavor, designed to support gut health and make fiber fun, flavorful and functional.
•Farmer Bob’s “Beyond Berries™” (Salem, OR) — A playful, frozen, nutrient-dense fruit snack made with upcycled blueberries and raspberries, and naturally sweet dates, reshaped into a new-to-market format that’s fun, naturally sweet and family-friendly.
•Pluff (Orlando, FL) — A high-protein, mousse-style dessert launching with a “Berry Blast” flavor made with freeze-dried blueberries. Pluff delivers indulgent texture and functional nutrition in one high-protein, low-sugar bite.
•Sorbatto’s “Blue Cream” (Wapato, WA) — A dairy-free, allergy-friendly frozen dessert made from 75% highbush blueberries. With no added sugar or water, Blue Cream offers a creamy, fruit-first alternative to traditional ice cream.
Companies were evaluated across various criteria: volume potential and market relevance; unique value proposition and differentiation (including blueberry prominence); product marketability and PR potential; fundability and scale; and the strength of founding teams.
“Whether eaten by the handful or in a favorite recipe, blueberries are a delicious and special staple – and we’ve known they have huge potential in ingredient innovation,” said USHBC President Kasey Cronquist. “This cohort of inventive entrepreneurial brands is demonstrating how blueberries can add great taste, excitement and wellness benefits to products across categories. We’re thrilled to be part of the promotion and continued growth of these innovators.”
The cohort will now enter an nine-week accelerator sprint, receiving weekly one-on-one coaching from VentureFuel, expert sessions with industry leaders, peer roundtables and support with developing marketing materials, including a professionally produced commercial. The program will culminate in a live pitch competition at The Blueberry Convention in Seattle, Oct. 8-10, where the winning company will receive a $20,000 grand prize, and the runner-up will receive $10,000.
“This cohort shows how startup-driven innovation can introduce blueberries to new consumers in exciting, unexpected ways,” said Fred Schonenberg, founder and CEO of VentureFuel. “These founders are creating products that deliver on what today’s shoppers crave — flavor, function and fun — while unlocking new paths to commercial scale that benefit the entire blueberry category.”
To learn more about the Blueberry Boost Accelerator, visit blueberryboostaccelerator.com.
About the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council
Established in 2000, The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) is a federal agriculture research and promotion program with independent oversight from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). USHBC represents blueberry growers and packers in North and South America who market their blueberries in the United States and overseas, and works to promote the growth and well-being of the entire blueberry industry. USHBC was established by blueberry growers and currently has 2,500 growers, packers, exporters and importers. USHBC is committed to providing blueberries that are grown, harvested, packed and shipped in clean, safe environments. Learn more at ushbc.blueberry.org and blueberry.org.About VentureFuel
VentureFuel is an independent innovation advisory firm that helps the world’s best organizations commercialize innovation to ignite change by working with startups. Its innovation programs help enterprise organizations learn, test, build and invest in emerging technology to solve their biggest problems today and unlock new sources of growth. VentureFuel provides organizations like Hershey’s, Comcast, Dick’s Sporting Goods, AARP Foundation and the State of California the tools to drive transformative change with less risk, more speed, and greater proximity to the consumer than traditional innovation models. Learn more at venturefuel.net, LinkedIn, X, and Instagram, and listen to The VentureFuel Visionaries podcast wherever you get your podcasts.