In this episode of “The Business of Blueberries,” host Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) and the North American Blueberry Council (NABC), is joined by Stephanie Stuckey, CEO of Stuckey’s Corporation and a Georgia pecan grower. Stuckey became CEO of Stuckey’s in November 2019 and is the third generation CEO of the family business, which not only produces and sells its iconic pecan candies and snacks, but also grows some of its own ingredients. Stuckey reinvented the brand and expanded it beyond its retail locations to e-commerce and other channels. She joins us to share her insights from this journey.

“I think a lot of people in the farming industry relate to this because often farms are passed down from generation to generation. … I loved my grandfather, and I didn't want his legacy to be a bunch of shuttered stores on the side of the highway that people would kind of point at and say, remember what that used to be? …  I wanted to change our story, and it's so rare you get the chance to buy your family's business and bring it back to life. What a blessing and an honor that's been.” - Stephanie Stuckey

 Topics covered include: 

• An introduction to Stuckey, her work and motivations. 
• A look at the third generation Stuckey Corporation and the rebranding of the business. 

Crop Report

The Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout important blueberry growing areas. Today you’ll hear from TJ Hafner in Oregon, Alan Schreiber in Washington, Brody Schropp in Michigan, Jason Smith in British Columbia, Mario Ramirez in Mexico and Jody McPherson in North Carolina. This was recorded on July 12, 2023.