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 USDA Under Secretary Jenny Moffitt to discuss USDA priorities and their relevance to blueberries. 

“I see the power and the value for producers in pooling our money together to promote our products and also to address critical needs [such as] research needs that are specific to what we’re growing and producing. ” - Jenny Moffitt

“This is about getting healthy blueberries into schools and into food banks … I know as a walnut producer, we talk about all the antioxidant powers that I know blueberries have as well.”  - Jenny Moffitt

Topics covered include:

• Moffitt’s background in the walnut industry and how she ended up as USDA Under Secretary.
• Current USDA initiatives, including increasing access to healthy food and creating efficiencies in the supply chain. 
• Encouraging partnership between states, agricultural stakeholders and institutions.
• Organic practices and ensuring quality in the organic produce space. 

Crop Report

The Blueberry Crop Report is an update on crop conditions and markets throughout North and South America. In this episode, you’ll hear from Andres Armstrong in Chile, Luis Vegas in Peru, and Mario Ramírez in Mexico. This was recorded on January 26, 2022.

Marketing Boost

February is Heart Health Month! USHBC/NABC Vice President of Marketing and Communications Jennifer Sparks discusses the importance of this month and how it can help promote blueberries as a heart-healthy snack for all. Visit ushbc.org/toolkits to find Heart Health Month resources.