Topics in this issue of Behind the Blue:
- USHBC Election Nominations Due April 18
- 2025 Blueberry MRL Guidance Now Available Online
- Vargas Represents USHBC at Google’s Annual Conference
- 2024 Impact Report Just Released
- New Appointments to USHBC Committees
- USHBC Represented at Vietnam Food & Hospitality Expo
- Event Will Kick Off Blueberry Season, Promote USA Blueberries in Vietnam
- Leadership Class Spotlight: Meet Peter Machala
USHBC Election Nominations Due April 18
Nominations for seven USHBC state representatives, state of Florida representatives, Importers 2, 3 and 4, and Exporter #2 (Canada) are due this Friday, April 18.
We’re seeking blueberry thought leaders to lend their expertise and leadership! Send in your nominations today!
Get more information and use the forms on the USHBC website to send in your nominations.
2025 Blueberry MRL Guidance Now Available Online
The 2025 International Blueberry Maximum Residue Levels (MRL) Memo and accompanying MRL Guidance is now available on the USHBC website.
The International Blueberry MRL Memo, prepared by Bryant Christie Inc., includes:
- Data from the U.S. Monitoring Residue Program and Pesticide Residue Screening Program in key markets.
- Pesticides and markets for which available residue data suggests the possibility of MRL violations.
- The MRL status of pesticides registered for use on blueberries in key markets.
The memo is available in a PDF report organized per market, and includes established MRLs, as well as an analysis of residue detections that could exceed the established MRL in that market. Additionally, the report is available in an excel spreadsheet organized by active ingredient.
The stoplight charts and accompanying guidance, prepared by Synergistic Labs, are intended to aid blueberry growers who plan to export to specific markets in selecting materials to manage key pests close to harvest.
You can view all 2025 MRL blueberry guidance here.
Vargas Represents USHBC at Google’s Annual Conference
Director of Business Intelligence Joe Vargas shared the USHBC’s journey to grow our blueberry data and insights program last week at Google Cloud Next, Google’s annual conference for developers, partners and customers. The future of ag analytics will include support from AI, and USHBC is already on the leading edge of the revolution.
“AI agents are going to change how we get insights and make decisions – not just about where AI is headed, but what it means for agriculture, analytics and especially blueberries,” Vargas said. “Google is paving the way for AI agents – not just tools that just answer questions, but that actually take action. These agents can handle next steps, generate recommendations, automate tasks and collaborate with other agents. Imagine a team of smart assistants, trained on your data, working around the clock to move your business forward.”
For the blueberry industry, this means we’re closer than ever to on-demand forecasting, dynamic decision-making and automated reporting – all customizable and scalable with just a few clicks.
Vargas said he had informative conversations about the challenges the blueberry industry is facing when it comes to pricing, planning, promotions and data complexity at the event. “AI can help us tackle all of it – faster, smarter and more collaboratively than ever before,” he added.
2024 Impact Report Just Released
Each year, the USHBC publishes an impact report that details the council’s efforts to drive demand for blueberries and encourage more people to “Grab a Boost of Blue.” The 2024 report – just released this week – provides a deep dive into:
- The people and programs driving USHBC’s success.
- Our exciting events.
- Innovative consumer and retail promotions.
- Health research efforts and partnerships.
- Foodservice events and activations.
- Food manufacturing product development efforts.
- How we engaged with the blueberry industry.
- Data and insights work.
- Global business development efforts.
Spend some time with this report to learn about all of our efforts and many successes in 2024!
New Appointments to USHBC Committees
At the recent Blueberry Hill Climb and Industry Meetings, USHBC Chair Bryan Sakuma made a number of appointments to the council’s committees. See who graciously accepted the call to serve, and check out our full committee lists here.
Finance Committee
Tracy Umbenhour
Promotion Committee
Nathan Sakuma, Vice Chair
Alec Arena, grower
Darren Sinn, fresh marketer
Doug Romback, domestic exporter
Juan Jose Flores, importer
Felipe Silva, importer
Mario Flores, GB Advisory Board Liaison
Foodservice Subcommittee
Josh Scheel
Bruce Turner
Health Research Advisory Board
Lindsay Bodtke
Tammy Brannen
Global Business Advisory Board
Terry Fasel, Chair
Mario Flores
Cristian Vivanco
Industry Engagement Committee
Shelly Hartmann, Chair
Doug Krahmer
Andrew Maiman
Denny Vander Kool
BerrySmart Technology Task Force
Cheyenne Sloan
Anne Steinkamp
BerrySmart Food Safety Task Force
Maria Fernanda Abildgaard
Mikala Hughes
Retail Subcommittee (Promotion)
Nathan Sakuma
Food Manufacturing Subcommittee (Promotion)
Chad Don
Felipe Silva
BerrySmart Sustainability Task Force
Cecila Allende
Emily Fritz
USHBC Represented at Vietnam Food & Hospitality Expo
The USHBC team in Vietnam participated in the Food & Hospitality Expo held March 18-20 in Hanoi, Vietnam. The exhibition featured over 180 exhibitors from more than 24 countries and regions.
The event reflected the dynamic development of the food and hospitality industry in Vietnam, especially in the north. With more than 70% of exhibitors coming from international markets, the exhibition is a leading platform for global trade and culinary exchange, providing a unique opportunity in Vietnam’s expanding food and beverage (F&B) and hospitality industry.
During the three-day event, more than 2,000 customers tried U.S. dried blueberries and blueberry-based dishes like pizza, blueberry pastries and sandwiches with blueberry jam.
The USHBC team also connected with BRG Group, a larger retailer in Hanoi with 42 supermarkets that’s planning to import fresh USA Blueberries and implement a sampling promotion program. The team also met with several food manufacturing firms, including Hola foods and Global Group, as well as additional potential importers.
Event Will Kick Off Blueberry Season, Promote USA Blueberries in Vietnam
USHBC will kick off the fresh blueberry season with an event promoting USA Blueberries at the Sheraton Saigon Grand Opera Hotel on April 22. This annual event is our way of welcoming the first fresh blueberries of the year to be exported to Vietnam and other countries.
Expected to attend are Andrew Anderson-Sprecher, senior agricultural attaché for the U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, as well as importers, distributors, imported fruit marketers and media representatives.
Nutritionist Bui Thi Minh Thuy will present at the event, and attendees will enjoy blueberry-infused recipes prepared by Norbert Ehrbar, executive chef and culinary consultant for Nhat Nam Fine Foods, and processing expert Pham Hoang Nhan.
Throughout the season, USHBC will host a number of consumer-focused events to promote USA Blueberries in Vietnam, and will host an online contest that invites consumers to share their cooking skills using recipes that feature blueberries.
Leadership Class Spotlight: Meet Peter Machala
Class 3 of the Blueberry Industry Leadership Program is in full swing, and we’re excited to introduce you to a fellow from the class each month in Behind the Blue.
Peter Machala is a produce category manager at Wakefern Food Corp., overseeing one of the company’s largest produce categories – berries – as well as packaged herbs, pomegranates and chestnuts.
Since joining the produce industry in 2014 as a produce procurement analyst intern, Machala has steadily advanced through various positions within Wakefern’s produce and floral departments. Managing the berry category since August 2022, he has spearheaded efforts to source the highest quality and best-tasting varieties from berry-producing regions throughout the U.S., Mexico and Peru. These initiatives have driven significant sales, unit and market share growth in the Northeast region.
A graduate of Saint Joseph’s University’s renowned five-year Food Marketing Co-Op Program in 2016, Machala was inspired to pursue a career in the food industry by his grandfather, a chef and catering business owner, and his father, a grocery category manager and procurement specialist. This multi-generational connection has fueled his passion for providing customers with fresh, delicious produce at a great value, helping to create healthier and happier communities.
Beyond his professional role, Machala is a volunteer with the Community Food Bank of New Jersey and the Special Olympics. He’s also a member of the Eastern Produce Council, having completed its leadership program, as well as the International Fresh Produce Association’s Emerging Leaders Program.
When not managing produce categories, Machala enjoys golfing, spending time outdoors and cooking memorable meals for family and friends.