Blueberries are hand picked into plastic flats, immediately brought, and packed within 1 or 2 hours after harvesting. The berries are sorted, graded and packed on stainless steel equipment designed for efficient packing as well as for food safety requirements. After being packed berries are forced-air cooled down to 38 degrees F and are stored at this temperature until shipped.
All blueberries are graded according to Jersey Fruit standards, which are more stringent than USDA standards. Quality criteria include firmness, bloom, size, color, overall appearance, and fullness of clamshell. Only quality product is allowed in the coop's box and inferior product must be sent to processing. This insures consumers will receive a full clamshell of high quality blueberries.