Alpine Fresh Inc., a grower-packer-shipper of blueberries headquartered in Miami, announced that it has entered into a joint venture with blueberry grower Five Star Family Growers, based in Auburndale, FL.

Beginning in March, Alpine Fresh and Five Star will begin packing Florida-grown blueberries in a brand new, state-of-the-art packing facility. The new blueberry packingshed will be built from the ground up and will mark the beginning of the partnership.

"Five Star Family Growers is proud to partner with Alpine Fresh in developing this new state-of-the-art refrigeration and packing facility," Randy Knapp, owner of Five Star Family Growers, said in a press release. "We look forward to offering a more competitive approach to packing and marketing fruit from the local growers. Our family looks forward to a long-term business relationship with both Walter, Stacy, and the entire Alpine Fresh team."

This new venture, spearheaded by Stacy Spivey, North American berry program director at Alpine Fresh, is expected to produce and pack over 1 million pounds in fresh blueberries this upcoming season.

"Alpine feels very fortunate to have partnered with a top-notch family-owned farm like Five-Star," Mr. Spivey said in the press release. "Randy and his family have built an impeccable operation and we look forward to rounding out their business by adding an onsite packing facility. This partnership is a breeding ground for innovation and we are excited about what the future holds."

This partnership will allow Alpine Fresh and Five Star to capitalize on each other's strengths.

"Alpine Fresh looks forward to working with Five Star Family Growers on the production of new varieties, as well as implementing new growing techniques, which will make central Florida a premier place for blueberries during the early spring deal," Walter Yager, chief executive officer of Alpine Fresh Inc., added in the press release.

Construction of the new facility began mid-December.

Source: The Produce News