After several high-level mergers in the past few years, Gem-Pack Berries shows no signs of slowing down.

Gem-Pack merged with Los Olivos, California-based Red Blossom Berries in fall 2021, resulting in an expanded portfolio of conventional and organic strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries across nine growing regions in California, Florida, Mexico, and South America.

In 2023, Gem-Pack added Watsonville, California’s Well-Pict Berries, which grows both conventional and organic strawberries and raspberries.

Michelle Deleissegues, Vice President of Marketing, Gem-Pack Berries

“This phenomenal growth has broadened our product line to a year-round berry patch and also deepened our expertise in the field and office,” said Michelle Deleissegues, vice president of marketing for Gem-Pack.

Gem-Pack, an Irvine, California-based organic berry grower-shipper, produces organic strawberries year-round. Recent expansion of the company’s Baja, Mexico organic program means Gem-Pack now offers organic raspberries “nearly year-round,” Deleissegues said.

"This phenomenal growth has broadened our product line to a year-round berry patch and also deepened our expertise in the field and office." - Michelle Deleissegues

As Gem-Pack navigated these mergers, the company also explored trendsetting sustainability initiatives. In March 2024, Gem-Pack signed a letter of intent with BADP, America to “jointly develop an eco-friendly, sustainable packaging solution for strawberries,” according to a Gem-Pack press release.

BADP, America stands for Bio Accelerated Degradable Plastic, a packaging technology that “leaves only 1 percent to 0 percent of microplastics remaining,” according to the BADP, America website.

BADP is the name for the additive that, when combined with the other ingredients for a sustainable berry container, will decompose plastic after a prescribed period of time.

“We can basically ‘program’ the plastic to soil degrade anywhere from 30 days to 3 years,” says BADP, America on its website. The containers eventually become natural substances like water, carbon dioxide, and biomass.

The collaboration between Gem-Pack and BADP, America aims to set new standards for environmental stewardship in agriculture.

“By exploring the use of microbial-induced enzyme additive technology in our packaging, we aim to lead by example in the industry, demonstrating that eco-friendly solutions are both viable and essential,” said Madu Etchandy, vice president of operations for Gem-Pack Berries.

As a year-round organic grower with diverse growing regions across the United States, Mexico, and South America, Gem-Pack wrestles with cultivation challenges like pests and soil health, Deleissegues said. Earthmade, a chemical-free farming technique, offers another sustainability solution for the innovative grower-shipper.

“By exploring the use of microbial-induced enzyme additive technology in our packaging, we aim to lead by example in the industry, demonstrating that eco-friendly solutions are both viable and essential." - Madu Etchandy

Earthmade is a patented project from Gem-Pack. In January 2023, the first Earthmade strawberries appeared on Walmart shelves.

The Earthmade method uses beneficial fungi and bacteria to address pest issues naturally to “heal the compromised soil,” says the Earthmade website.

Earthmade farmers uplift “biocentrism,” which the website defines as “an ethical point of view that extends inherent value to all living things.” Currently Earthmade lists four commodities to which farmers can apply its techniques: strawberries, celery, soybeans, and corn.

“We are partnering with Earthmade to develop farming techniques that use biological substances to replenish soil health and combat disease and pests,” Deleissegues said. “Earthmade is a farming solution that focuses not only on growing healthy food but also on healthy plant and human microbes as well as overall earth health.”

Mergers and collaborations come naturally to the rapidly growing Gem-Pack, which began with the initial merger of two farming families in 1959. As the berry category continues to dominate the organic market, Gem-Pack hopes its investment in its family of companies and sustainability and breeding technologies pays off. Gem-Pack also recently partnered with the California Strawberry Cultivars breeding startup on new strawberry varieties.

“Gem-Pack has powered through some incredible expansion the past two years,” Deleissegues said. “We continue to strive to be proactive and innovative to find farming solutions that allow us to deliver delicious, nutritious, and sustainable berries.”