Fresh berries should be plump and firm, brightly colored and free of mold, soft spots, wrinkled or split skins, and discoloration. Blueberries will typically have a ‘frosted’ or ‘dusted’ appearance to the skin. Cranberries should appear lustrous with color ranging from hot pink to dark red.

Ocean Spray harvests six different cranberry varieties from growers in three primary regions, Massachusetts, Wisconsin, and Washington / British Columbia.  As a consequence November shipments will look different than September shipments and most likely will be different varieties.

Temperature:
32-34 degrees F / 0 – 1.1 degrees C

Relative humidity: 90 – 98%

Temperature:
36-40 degrees F / 2 – 5 degrees C

Relative humidity: 60%

Mist: No

Blueberries: 10 – 18 days

Blueberries are ideal for displaying with other fresh berries, or with melons in the produce department. Center-aisle cross-promotional opportunities include: breakfast cereals, pancake, cake, piecrust or muffin mixes.

Fresh cranberries are ideal for holiday merchandising October through December.

Display alongside apples, nuts, raisins, acorn squash, tropical fruits, pastry shells, and muffin mixes.  Recipes often call for cranberries to be used along with these ingredients.  Take care not to display next to items that must be kept moist.

Encourage shoppers to buy two bags, one for now, and the other to freeze for later.  Cranberries freeze well when the perforated bags are overwrapped to protect them from freezer dehydration.

Ocean Spray will provide case cards with recipes and rebates to help drive sales.  These are designed to fit most retail display frames with dimensions: 11 x 7”.