COMMUNITY
From Field to Table
Posted On: July 31, 2017There’s nothing more satisfying than grabbing a handful of fresh berries and knowing they come straight off the bush. But a blueberry’s journey from field to table requires more than just a skillful hand. A few factors attribute to our product being as plump and fresh as it is. By minimizing environmental impact, applying ethical practices and supporting the wellbeing of our community we’re sure to be on the right path.
The first step for growing unique berries is making sure we have a unified family of farmers with a strong relationship with nature. We believe that if we join efforts and share our knowledge and expertise while using sustainable resources, the result will evince our commitment.
Selecting the optimal variety of berry for our region’s climate, using the ideal kind of soil (well-aerated, moist and acidic) and applying the proper planting methods are just the initial steps to get our blueberries going. Once the plants are happy in their new homes, our drip irrigation system will start feeding them during the growing season. Our local blueberry growers know that the only way to raise healthy plants is by handling them with love and care- and that’s just what they do.
Before we know it, it’s harvesting season. During the three years Johanna Paredes has been working in the fields, she feels she’s become an experienced picker. “Each day I get better,” she says, with genuine empathy. “The key is to be gentle and, using your thumb, delicately roll the berry off the stem.” On a great harvesting day, Johanna will fill more than 25 buckets. A little known fact: Blueberries will reach their complete savor and fragrance a few days after they have turned blue.
Before our berries can travel from our fields all the way to your table, there are a few more steps, such as: transporting the berries to our plant, a couple revisions from our berry experts (remember we only pack the berry best ones) and keeping them cool through the whole storage process. Once they are perfectly packed and sealed, they’re ready to be transported to Peru’s seaport, some 550 kilometers away. How do they survive such a long drive? We naturally preserve the blueberries’ freshness by using a special trailer kept at a low temperature.
While it may sound like many steps, and certainly entails a committed team effort, it’s all worth it to have you enjoy the best berries at their freshest.
