Driscoll's

Time to Vote for #SXSW Panel Picker! Deadline is August 18th.   SXSW is where innovation and creativity collide, drawing a global audience of influencers, media, tech pioneers, and trendsetters. Driscoll’s has a unique chance to showcase Only the Finest Berries™ at the heart of this dynamic intersection of culture and consumer trends.   Cast your vote for the Panels below and help us bring our story to the world’s stage! 1). From Palate to Palette: How Food Disrupted Beauty & Fashion  VOTE: https://lnkd.in/gAvBKm8z   From the “Strawberry Girl” aesthetic to “Blueberry Milk” nails, the fusion of food, beauty, and fashion is taking the world by storm, capturing the hearts of Gen Alpha and Gen Z. As this trend reshapes consumer behavior, brands are launching bold collaborations to engage new audiences.   This diverse panel of experts from top brands, explore why these lifestyle trends resonate with younger generations and what this means for the future of brand marketing.   · Moderated by Joseph Lamour, @TODAY NBCUniversal · Jan Arnold, Co-Founder and Style Director, CND · Frances Dillard, Vice President of Marketing, Driscoll's ·  Lisa Buhler, Founder, Lisa Says Gah     2). Women in Food VOTE: https://lnkd.in/g86Mbgkc   The food industry is primed to accelerate change when it comes to gender equality according to a McKinsey & Company report. Trailblazing female leaders from some of the grocery industry’s most iconic brands discuss how the "female mind" is shaping creativity, driving category innovation, and propelling business success.   Join us as we explore the untapped potential of women in food and the future of female leadership.   · Katlin Smith, CEO, Simple Mills · Sonya Gafsi Oblisk, CMO, Whole Foods Market Foods · Frances Dillard, VP of Marketing, Driscoll's     3). The Future of Food in 2030 VOTE: https://lnkd.in/eP2J9smw   What does the future of food look like for consumers who demand health, convenience, sustainability, artisanship and innovation? We journey to 2030, an era in which the way we live, eat and drink will be driven by trust and connection.   Join Niels Hansen of Fresh Forward, creator of the proprietary Futurise® trend model, and Frances Dillard, Vice President, Marketing for Driscoll’s, to unpack themes and predictions food companies must embrace to stay future proof.

We’re thrilled to be featured once again by The Wall Street Journal, highlighting the incredible journey of flavor innovation at Driscoll’s. Dive into the story behind our Sweetest Batch™ berries with insights from our very own Henry Yeung, Sensory Scientist, on WSJ's podcast - The Future of Everything. A special thank you to 3-year-old Edith, the delightful daughter of WSJ reporter Ben Cohen, who perfectly captured our mission with her charming review of our strawberries: "Really, pretty, pretty, pretty good." 🍓 Tune in to discover how science and dedication come together to create the perfect berry! https://lnkd.in/gWw7YH2U

Big News! A joint vertical farm with Plenty® and Mawarid Holding Investment is underway in Abu Dhabi and it is slated to bring Driscoll's Only the Finest™ Strawberries to market in 2026! Our expertise as the world’s largest strawberry breeding program is focused on flavor innovation! Driscoll's CEO, Soren Bjorn had this to say on the partnership and announcement: "As part of our strategy to delight berry consumers around the world, we are excited to partner with Plenty® and Mawarid Holding Investment on this pioneering project. The Gulf region and the United Arab Emirates specifically have long been great markets for Driscoll's, and this project will help ensure we can meet the demands of consumers in this market into the future." Read the Full Press Release Here: https://lnkd.in/grScuG2m

Thanks to The Wall Street Journal and reporter Ben Cohen for capturing the spirit of innovation and passion we have for bringing to market Only the Finest Berries™. Our ultra-flavorful strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries were launched in 2019 under the fitting label: Sweetest Batch™.  This is their story of success and scale. https://lnkd.in/gmTAt-mA

What is Driscoll's competitive edge in the marketplace? Our proprietary berries that are grown to delight consumers and our employees who create an authentic culture. Today we celebrated the work anniversaries of Albert Quintero, 45 years and Gigi Gutierrez, 30 years with Driscoll's. Driscoll's CEO, Soren Bjorn and Chief Commercial Officer, Garland Reiter acknowledged their contributions. Congrats to Albert and Gigi - thank you for all you do!

Growing Only the Finest Berries™ connects us globally. This week, Driscoll’s of the Americas hosted the NextGen Fruit Group from the UK as this group of bright, passionate, and motivated leaders toured California to experience how we can all work together for a more sustainable future. Thanks to Driscoll’s UK employees, Gail Gribble, Hannah Greatorex, and James Snell who were part of this enthusiastic group of talented people. The future of farming is in good hands.

Did you catch Driscoll's latest flavor innovation? Blue Bliss Raspberries - combining the sweet and juicy flavor of raspberries with the oh-so-bluetiful color of blueberries. Kudos to ADWEEK and all the others who caught this FOOLISHLY delicious NEW treat! https://lnkd.in/eT8T3qY6

Driscoll’s has been named to Fast Company’s prestigious list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies of 2024. Our flavor-forward Sweetest Batch™ strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries are disrupting the fresh produce category, resetting expectations for how fresh produce should taste. It is an honor to be part of a list that spotlights businesses that are shaping industry and culture through our innovations. “Driscoll’s has one of the world’s largest Research and Development Flavor Centers that is solely dedicated to berry flavor innovation through our own proprietary varieties” said Soren Bjorn, CEO of Driscoll’s. ““We leveraged this center of excellence for the launch of our premium Sweetest Batch™ berries. Shoppers can now experience unprecedented flavor with a trusted brand that they know and has been part of their daily lives.” For more than 100 years, Driscoll’s has been on a mission to delight consumers with Only the Finest Berries™. This relentless pursuit has made Driscoll’s one of America’s most beloved retail grocery brands and the first to market a full portfolio of Sweetest Batch™ strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries. https://lnkd.in/gy97mUfG #FCMostInnovative 

We are getting ready for Food Tank's "All Things Food Summit," an Official SXSW 2024 event on March 14th! We are proud to be one of the sponsors along with Huston-Tillotson University - Austin, Texas and Barr Mansion & Artisan Ballroom. Registration is FREE: https://lnkd.in/gRzVg44z The incredible group of speakers includes Driscoll's Alejandra Sanchez discussing the making of our new short films: One Family, One Earth ™ Join us for multiple stages featuring 40+ speakers, delicious food, film viewings, live performance, tasting areas, and so much more. In alphabetical order, scheduled speakers include: Joke Aerts, Tony's Chocolonely Daisy Berg, New Seasons Market Adae Romero-Briones, First Nations Development Institute Peter Byck, Film Producer Sweta Chakraborty, PhD, We Don't Have Time Joi Chevalier, The Cook's Nook Andrea Chu, Vital Farms Ben Collier, The Farmlink Project Simon English, Celebrity Chef and Filmmaker Oliver English, Celebrity Chef and Filmmaker Erin Flynn, Green Gate Farm Luis Guardia, Food Research & Action Center (FRAC). Olivia Hernandez, Hernandez Hospitality Sarela Herrada, SIMPLi Steven Jennings, Ahold Delhaize USA Adrian Lipscombe, 40 Acres Best-Selling Author and Julia Child Prize Award Recipient Toni Tipton-Martin Amanda Masino, Huston-Tillotson University Liz Mella, Farmer's Fridge Abe Ng, Maki Sushi. Danielle Nierenberg, Food Tank Chris Ninnes, Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) Michel Nishan, Wholesome Wave Paul Newnham, director of the Chefs Manifesto network Karuna Rawal, Nature’s Fynd Alejandra Sanchez, Driscoll's Shreela Sharma, University of Texas Houston. and dozens more!

Heading to the SXSW Conference in Austin this coming week? Driscoll’s has not ONE but TWO, inspiring panels for you to attend. Mark your calendars and be part of the buzz: 1. Innovating Ag: Technology Transforms Our Oldest Industry Technological advancements and scientific discoveries have transformed agriculture from a food source to a driver of economies and population growth. Today, headwinds in the supply chain, climate change, food scarcity and much more threaten our future food supply. This panel will discuss the impact of technology on global food production and supply. The discussion will explore how #AI is securing food production, and how new technologies and partnerships are paving the way for a secure and resilient global food supply. Moderated by The Wall Street Journal's Jesse Newman, along with panel speakers: * Soren Bjorn, CEO, Driscoll’s * Elliott Grant, Mineral.ai * Teddy Bekele, Land O'Lakes, Inc. https://lnkd.in/gVQxvRh5 2. The Future of Flavor: Science, Trends & Innovation With Gen Z’s disposable income reaching $360 billion, they are fast becoming a powerful consumer segment that is re-writing the playbook across all categories.  When it comes to Gen-Z's palates and flavor preferences, they are choosing bold new tastes over tradition especially when it comes to plant-based products. Trailblazing breakout brands, trend strategists and data experts come together to dish out the scoop. From Driscoll's Sweetest Batch™ Berries and Tropical Bliss™ Strawberries to the The Grapery's Cotton Candy™ Grapes – this promises to be a delicious panel: Moderated by Frances Dillard, VP of Marketing for Driscoll’s, along with panel speakers: *Jim Beagle, CEO, The Grapery *Jonna Parker, Circana *Alex Beggs, writer/contributor to Bon Appetit, Taste, and The New York Times https://lnkd.in/g2w_PCgD See you there!