Topics in this issue of Behind the Blue:
- Introducing the Blueberry Industry Hall of Fame Award
- You’re Invited! USHBC Virtual Watch Party Event
- USHBC Travels to Japan for Trade Mission
- Upcoming Events
Introducing the Blueberry Industry Hall of Fame Award
New Award Is the Industry’s Highest Honor
The NABC Hall of Fame Award is a new recognition that honors and celebrates blueberry leaders, growers and suppliers who have made a lasting impact on the blueberry industry in North America. The award was established as the council and industry’s highest honor, and is open to influential leaders both past and present, and joins the Duke Galletta Award and Alex Wetherbee Award to honor exceptional industry leaders.
Evaluation Criteria
- Accomplishments must be centered around moving the blueberry industry forward.
- Selection is based upon candidate attributes in leadership, collaboration, industry support, longevity and innovation. The value of these contributions is the primary criterion.
Examples of Criteria:
- Influencer: A strong presence in the industry, both as a leader and as a mentor.
- Innovator: Responsible for a major breakthrough in the industry’s prominence, relevance or success.
- Pioneer: In production, marketing or health research.
- Volunteer leadership: Years of dedicated service to the industry and a collaborative nature, with specific exceptional examples or traits cited.
The NABC’s Awards Committee will review nominations and provide a recommendation for the NABC chair’s consideration and decision. The award will be presented at The Blueberry Summit, Sept. 27-29 in Savannah, Georgia. The winner will be selected approximately 45 days prior to The Blueberry Summit to ensure their ability to accept the award at the event.
To submit a nomination, complete the form below by July 14.
You’re Invited! USHBC Virtual Watch Party Event
The USHBC is excited to announce that three new Grab a Boost of Blue commercials will be airing on popular digital platforms, including ESPN, Food Network, HULU and more to reach our “fruit fanatic” and “trend chaser” audiences.
Join us for a special virtual event on Wed., June 14 at 4 p.m. PT, 6 p.m MT or 7 p.m. ET to be part of the commercials’ premiere! This half hour virtual event will be fun, engaging and full of surprises, and is guaranteed to bring a smile to your face – and even a good laugh. Three lucky guests will win a Grab a Boost of Blue Yeti cooler.
RSVP below and watch your inbox for more details.
This week, USHBC President Kasey Cronquist and USHBC Director of Global Business Development Renata Dalton are in Japan as part of a delegation participating in the USDA’s agribusiness trade mission.
The trade mission was launched by USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis M. Taylor. The U.S. delegation includes representatives from 11 state departments of agriculture, numerous farm organizations and 40 agribusinesses looking to connect with future business partners in Japan.
“As one of the largest world economies, Japan is one of the top and most reliable trading partners for the United States. Every year for over the past two decades, Japan has imported at least $10 billion worth of U.S. food and agriculture products, reaching a record-high $14.6 billion in 2022,” noted Taylor. “This shows that there is a continuously growing demand for U.S. products in Japan, providing U.S. exporters with a tremendous opportunity to expand their exporting. On this agribusiness trade mission, we have many incredible businesses joining this delegation to showcase the strength of U.S. food and agriculture products. Japanese consumers are especially interested in high-quality, health-oriented products, and I am confident that U.S. businesses can meet and exceed these expectations.”
Throughout the week, USHBC representatives will be participating in meetings alongside other small- and medium-sized U.S. agribusinesses and Japanese buyers seeking to import American food and farm products. The itinerary also includes meetings with Japanese and local prefecture government officials and industry groups to discuss trade issues and unique opportunities offered by Japanese consumers, retail promotions featuring U.S. products, and visits to Japanese farms and packaging facilities.
Upcoming Events
