Berry FAQ - Wish Farms

About Berries


Q: How are Wish Farms berries harvested?

A:
Wish Farms berries are all hand-picked and harvested at the perfect time to ensure quality freshness and flavor. Throughout the season, strawberry plants are picked about every 3 days. Strawberries are picked and packed in the field. Berries are checked and scanned at the quality control station. Once inspected, fruit is taken to the cooler and pre-cooled to 34 degrees. Blueberries are handpicked into lugs, then sorted and packed with the help of a blueberry packing line.

Q: Where can I buy Wish Farms berries?

A:
Wish Farms strawberries and blueberries are available year round at select retailers. If you do not see the Wish Farms Misty the Garden Pixie label at your local retailer, be sure to talk to your Produce Manager and put in a request. We appreciate your support and love of fresh berries! Visit our 'Where to Buy' page for a list of retail partners.

Q: What makes berries so nutritionally beneficial?

A:
Berries are one of the healthiest and nutrient rich foods you can eat! With approximately 50 calories per cup, loads of antioxidants and high potassium content; berries can assist in preventing heart disease, stroke and even certain types of cancer. Blueberries specifically are a superfood that pack a punch! Berries are loaded with vitamins C, E and A, as well as a great source of potassium, calcium and iron.

Q: Do berries continue to ripen after they have been harvested?

A:
Berries do not continue to ripen after they are picked. For strawberries, be sure to avoid white shoulders and seedy tips. Choose a package of berries that look perfect and ready to eat!

Growing Berries


Q: Where are Wish Farms berries grown?

A:
Wish Farms strawberries are grown in Florida as well as Central and Southern California. Wish Farms blueberries are grown in both North and South America, including the Southeast U.S., British Columbia, Argentina, Peru and Chile. Our blackberries and raspberries are grown in Southern California as well as throughout Mexico. Blackberries also have a growing window in the Southeast US.

Q: How can I find out where my purchased berries were grown?

A:
Wish Farms has the ability to trace our product back to the grower, variety, field location, date and time. A unique 16-digit code is tied to specific information for each individual package of berries. Learn more about our traceability program by visiting our Happiness Survey page.

Q: Do Wish Farms offer organically grown berries?

A:
Yes, Wish Farms has a year-round organic program offering organic strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries. Look for our green berry label with the USDA Organic emblem.

Berry Care


Q: Do I need to wash my berries before eating them?

A:
Yes, we recommend washing your berries right before consuming. If you wash the berries too soon, they will absorb the water and start to breakdown quickly. Your berries will be fresher and last longer if you rinse them under cool water just prior to eating. Visit our Care & Handling page for more details.

Q: What is the best way to store berries once purchased?

A:
It is best to store your berries in the refrigerator as soon as you return from the grocery store. For optimum freshness, berries should be stored in a dry cool place.

Food Safety


Q: Does Wish Farms have a Global Food Safety Program?

A:
Wish Farms’ Food Safety Program includes certification by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), the highest level in food safety management systems, covering both GAP and GMP. The Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) includes a series of food safety checkpoints covering farm production and post-production. In addition, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) covers food safety procedures in our warehouse and coolers.

Our berry processing facilities are certified by Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) which, defined by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is a systematic approach to the identification, evaluation, and control of food safety hazards.

Wish Farms is compliant with the Produce Traceability Initiative (PTI), which implements case-level electronic traceability across our strawberry and blueberry shipments. We have gone above and beyond this industry-driven standard and developed a patented traceability system called FreshQC™ How’s My Picking?™ achieving item-level produce traceability. Learn more about our Food Safety Program.


Q: Does Wish Farms add color or artificially enhance its berries?

A:
Absolutely not. Wish Farms strawberries are naturally red and our blueberries are naturally blue. Same goes for blackberries and raspberries. Berry color and hue can vary based on the variety, the weather, and harvest timing. Wish Farms does not enhance or modify the color of our berries whatsoever.

Q: Are Wish Farms berries genetically modified (GMO)?

A:
Wish Farms does not grow any genetically modified products.

When something is deemed genetically modified it means that foreign genetic material was inserted into an organism, not through traditional breeding. This material can come from multiple sources, including another plant or animal species or a synthetic gene created in a lab. Most of the corn and soybeans grown in the U.S are genetically modified. All strawberry varieties grown commercially in the U.S. were bred through traditional hybridization and selection. Also, keep in mind that just because something is labeled “organic” doesn’t mean that its conventional counterpart is genetically modified. At Wish Farms, we offer both conventional and organic berries, both of which are safe to eat and feed to your family – it’s really a matter of personal preference.


Q: Does Wish Farms use pesticides?

A:
At Wish Farms, our primary concern is the safety of our product and the well-being of both our field workers and the end consumer. All pesticides used are in compliance with federal and state laws, and comply with the registration policies of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). Pesticide use is within the legal tolerance enforced by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (US FDA).

An essential part of a balanced diet including eating fruits and vegetables daily. Health experts advise, that regardless if conventionally or organically grown, consuming fresh produce will provide the most nutritional value for our diet and far outweighs any risk of pesticide residues on produce. A great resource to educate yourself and make the right decision for your family is www.safefruitsandveggies.com.