Topics in this issue of Behind the Blue:
- Blueberry Summit Registration Now Open
- Blueberries Added to USDA’s Shop Simple Program
- Leadership Class Deadline Approaching
Registration is now open for The Blueberry Summit, Sept. 27-29 in Savannah, Georgia! Sign up by Aug. 25 to take advantage of our new early-bird discount and save $75 on registration. Prices will increase, so register today.
Plus, be sure to book your hotel room within our housing block. Rooms are limited and are going fast! We’ll be gathering at The DeSoto in the heart of downtown Savannah, a hotel that has welcomed four presidents and dozens of personalities, and now the blueberry industry!
Click “reserve now” below to take advantage of our discounted rate of $259 + tax. Book by August 25 or before the block sells out – whichever comes first!
The Blueberry Summit is your opportunity to connect and collaborate face-to-face with blueberry industry members from all over the country. Attend one of the many engaging educational sessions, while just steps away from the area’s fine dining and historical experiences. And thanks to our new “Show Us Your Badge” program, summit attendees will get discounts on all sorts of Savannah locations and experiences!
Be on the lookout for details on this year’s educational sessions, keynote speakers, exhibitors and other new and exciting event details. We can promise you one thing, this summit will surely be one worthy of an award, possibly even Hall of Fame worthy – hint, hint.
What Questions Can We Answer?
For more information, hotel details or to get answers to your questions, please contact Stacy Schlags, director of meetings and events, at [email protected].
Be an Exhibitor or Sponsor
Interested in connecting with our passionate blueberry community? Reach out to Mandy Boarman, industry and community engagement manager, at [email protected] to learn about exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities. Thank you to our current sponsors.
USDA recently added frozen blueberries to the select list of fruits featured in their Shop Simple with MyPlate program. The Shop Simple program was developed to help consumers make healthy food choices and provides helpful shopping, food preparation and cooking tips, including selecting, purchasing and storing foods, budget-friendly recipes and nutrition information.
The program’s interactive tools also help consumers find cost-saving opportunities online and at local farmers’ markets, authorized SNAP retailer stores and GUSNIP participating retailers.
Blueberries are one of only 13 fruits currently part of the Shop Simple program and are joined by only one other berry. The addition of blueberries to the Shop Simple with MyPlate program is a great testament to the USHBC’s work to grow the relevancy, credibility and value of blueberries. It’s also another example of the rising popularity of blueberries due to their great taste, convenience and health benefits.
Blueberry Leadership Class Application Deadline Is June 16
Do you know an up-and-coming industry leader? If the answer is yes, make sure to have them apply for the ONLY leadership program specifically developed for shaping future leaders of the blueberry industry.
The program, generously sponsored by Fall Creek Farm & Nursery, spans one year and takes an interactive approach through hands-on training, learning experiences, engagement with key industry players and exposure to the many components of the produce supply chain.
If you’d like to be part of the next-gen leadership in the blueberry industry or you know someone who would, be sure to fill out an application by June 16. Participants in this innovative program will experience:
- Immersive, personalized leadership training.
- Knowledge sharing from industry veterans and thought leaders.
- Deep dives into innovation and technology.
- Learnings on the impact of advancements in health and nutrition.
- Business relationship building to activate your network within the industry.
- Presentation and media training.
- Camaraderie among fellows to create a lifelong support network and better understanding of the industry.
This is a not-to-be-missed experience for passionate up-and-comers! You can help us spread the word about the program by sharing information on the program with your network, or apply yourself! Have questions? Reach out to Amanda Griffin, USHBC’s vice president of engagement and education, at [email protected], cc: [email protected].