The History of
Blueberries

Our favorite boost of blue isn’t new. Blueberries, native to North America, have been part of life here for 13,000 years. The first highbush blueberry bush was successfully cultivated for commercial production in the early 1900s, and today, we grow nearly 1 billion pounds of blueberries in North America each year. A delicious legacy!

1893

Elizabeth White sees the potential in blueberries as a crop

After years of harvesting cranberries on her family’s farm in New Jersey, she was ready for a boost of blue.

1908

Frederick Coville begins experimenting with wild blueberries

A USDA botanist, he was determined to find the right plants to cultivate.

1911

Elizabeth White and Frederick Coville become partners

Breakthrough in Blue

1912

White and Coville’s first successful field plantings crop up

Despite what local farmers told a determined White, blueberries could be cultivated!

1916

The team harvests and sells its first commercial crop of highbush blueberries

Kitchens across the nation were about to get a lot more colorful.

1932

New Jersey awards Elizabeth White for her “outstanding contributions to agriculture”

Our earliest industry leader gets her due from the state where it all started.

The Blueberry Boom

1942-62

The USDA proclaims July as National Blueberry Month

It’s the peak of the North American blueberry harvest, aka the most delicious month of the year.

1974

The USDA proclaims July as National Blueberry Month

It’s the peak of the North American blueberry harvest, aka the most delicious month of the year.

1990s

Blueberry production reaches 100 million pounds a year

White and Coville knew they were onto something – and they were right.

21st Century Blues

2000

An array of scientific research increasingly ties blueberries to health benefits

We continue to learn more every year, with a recent focus on cardiovascular health, brain health, insulin response and gut health.

2019

Blueberries are certified as heart-healthy by the American Heart Association®

The Heart-Check Food Certification Program helps shoppers identify heart-healthy foods that can be part of a sensible eating plan.

2020

The blueberry emoji debuts on smartphones around the world

Much like the berry itself, the emoji is small, blue, and should be enjoyed daily.

July is National Blueberry Month

Delicious, nutritious blueberries are so iconic that the entire month of July is dedicated to celebrating them. Since its introduction in 1974, National Blueberry Month has offered us an opportunity to pause and enjoy the simple, delicious and nutritious goodness of this fruit.

While much has changed in the last 50 years, the timeless appeal of blueberries has not. You can enjoy them all day long, fresh or frozen, in sweet or savory recipes. It’s always a good time to grab a boost of blue!