FAQs
We get all kinds of questions. About everything from growing beautiful berries to good nutrition for growing kids. Fortunately we have all kinds of answers. You'll find many of them here.
About the Driscolls
- Who are the Driscolls?
For more than a century, the Driscoll family has been growing premium berries. We are a family-owned-and-operated company whose Mission is to Continually Delight Berry Consumers by providing The Finest Berries in the World®. All of our efforts revolve around providing a delightful eating experience with every Driscoll's berry.
To do this, Driscoll's uses traditional plant breeding methods to create plants that produce premium quality berries. We then partner with independent farmers around the world to grow Driscoll's patented berry varieties. Driscoll's also offers a few non-proprietary berry varieties. Regardless of whether a variety is proprietary to Driscoll's or not, it must meet all of the same Delight standards (regarding flavor, texture, shape, color, aroma, etc.) or it will not be sold under the Driscoll's brand.
Driscoll's values are Passion, Humility and Trustworthiness, and these values guide all of our decisions and actions.
Driscoll's recognizes the impact that our business and the businesses of the independent farmers who grow Driscoll's berries have on those around us. Since our company was founded, we have been committed to making a difference in the communities where we live and work. We are actively involved in contributing funds in communities where we operate to provide scholarships, medical care programs and other services that better the lives of our employees, our independent farmers, their employees and their families. In addition to community-based funding programs, we encourage, support and build upon our employees' and independent farmers' commitment of personal time and contributions.
Growing Berries
- What is a berry variety?
A berry variety is a "breed" of a particular berry, and each variety will differ from another because of different physical characteristics: color, size, shape, etc. An analogy among animals is that while collies and German shepherds are both dogs, these varieties or breeds vary from each other because of their different physical characteristics.
Driscoll's has several different proprietary varieties of strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and blueberries, as well as an ongoing program that develops and researches berry varieties to fulfill our mission to Continually Delight Berry Consumers. The majority of our plants are proprietary varieties, which are created by our Research and Development Department and are only grown by our independent farmers. Driscoll's also offers a few non-proprietary berry varieties. Regardless of whether a variety is proprietary to Driscoll's or not, it must meet all of the same Delight standards (regarding flavor, texture, shape, color, aroma, etc.) or it will not be sold under the Driscoll's brand.
- Does Driscoll's grow their own berries?
Driscoll's is partnered with independent farmers around the globe to grow Driscoll's berries. Many of the farmers who grow berries for Driscoll's have been growing for us for several decades and generations.
- Does Driscoll's offer organically grown berries?
Driscoll's is a leading supplier of organic strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and blueberries. Driscoll's organic berries are grown by independent farmers whose growing and handling operations are certified organic by California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF), a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) accredited certifying agency.
Driscoll's berries are not genetically modified or subjected to irradiation. They meet the same quality and safety standards as our non-organic berries, but are also grown within the National Organic Standards established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) National Organic Program.
- Where exactly are Driscoll's berries grown?
The majority of Driscoll's berries (organic and non-organic strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries) are grown in the United States, with California being the largest growing area. Other growing areas in the U.S. include Oregon, Washington, New Jersey, North and South Carolina, and Florida. We also have independent farmers who grow Driscoll's berries in Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, England, and in a variety of European countries. The country of origin of all Driscoll's berries is stated on our package labels as required by law (look in the "Product of" section on your berry package label to see where the product was grown and harvested).
- How are Driscoll's berries harvested?
All of our berries are hand-picked and field-packed, with the exception of blueberries which are sometimes picked using harvesting machines and/or packed in packing facilities. Because berries are very perishable, we touch them only once during the harvest process. They are picked and placed into a plastic consumer package, which is immediately shut when full. From there the berries are taken to our cooler facility, where they are kept in refrigeration until they are transferred onto refrigerated trucks, and delivered to markets throughout the United States or to refrigerated airplane containers for export to other countries. To ensure the utmost quality and freshness, and longest shelf life, they are not touched again until opened by you for consumption.
- Does Driscoll's sell their berry plants?
Because our plants are patented, Driscoll's berry plants and seeds are not for sale and cannot be grown by anyone other than our independent farming partners worldwide.
- How do Driscoll's berries differ from other berries in the marketplace?
A berry variety is a "breed" of a particular berry, and each variety will differ from another because of different physical characteristics: color, size, shape, etc. An analogy among animals is that while Collies and German Shepherds are both dogs, these varieties or breeds vary from each other because of their different physical characteristics.
Driscoll's has several different proprietary varieties of strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and blueberries, as well as an ongoing program that develops and researches other berry varieties to fulfill our mission to Continually Delight Berry Consumers. Although we do offer a few non-proprietary varieties, the majority of our plants are proprietary varieties, which are created by our Research and Development Department and are only grown by our independent farmers.
Driscoll's Research and Development Department is a leader in the development of strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries. Using only traditional breeding methods, our plant breeders cross-pollinate thousands of parent plants in order to create new plant material that will result in more flavorful berries that provide a Delightful Eating Experience. We extensively test the berries grown from this plant material for many characteristics, including flavor, aroma, and resistance to disease and pests (to reduce the need for pesticides). Only those plants whose berries pass these stringent tests get planted in our nurseries.
Once those plants bear fruit, that fruit gets tested again. If it passes again, only then will it become a new Driscoll's variety. This process takes tens of thousands of crosses and many years just to create one new Driscoll's variety. We then patent that plant material with the U.S. Patent Office and offer it exclusively to our independent farmers around the world to grow our premium berries.
About Berries and Berry Care
- What should I look for when selecting my berries?
Strawberries
Look for a brilliant, even red color with a nice sheen. The berry tips should not be too seedy, and the berries should be clean and dry. The green leafy cap on the crown of a strawberry is called a "calyx." These should look fresh and not wilted. When storing berries at home, keep them refrigerated and in their original, specially ventilated Driscoll's package. Read more about Berry Care.
Raspberries
Raspberries are the most delicate and fragile of all the berries. Look for berries that are plump and dry. Berries should range from bright to deep crimson red. The berries should not be mushy and should have a nice sheen. Small hairs on the raspberries (or "styles") are a part of the female flower of the fruit and are perfectly natural. They can range in color from light blonde to darker brown/black. On some raspberries they are slightly visible and on others, not at all. Sometimes raspberries can also have "bloom," a silvery-white coating on their exteriors, which is a perfectly natural part of the berries' defense mechanism. Bloom is not at all harmful, and you should not try to wash it off your raspberries. Read more about Berry Care.
Blackberries
Like raspberries, blackberries are one of the more fragile berries. They range in color from deep blue/purple to deep purple/black. Blackberries are often two-tone in color, which is perfectly natural and does not signify that the berries are not ripe. When purchasing blackberries, look for fruit that is plump and dry. The berries should not be mushy and should have a nice sheen. Read more about Berry Care.
Blueberries
Look for blueberries that are plump, round, smooth and dry. Berries should not have any dents or appear shriveled (which indicates moisture loss). Blueberries range in color from deep blue to deep purple and they typically have a silvery-white coating on their exteriors. This coating on blueberries is called "bloom." Bloom is part of the berry's natural defense mechanism, which protects the berries from sunlight and holds in valuable moisture. Bloom is completely natural and not at all harmful, and you should not try to wash it off your blueberries. Read more about Berry Care. - Do berries have to be refrigerated?
All berries are highly perishable and need to be refrigerated at all times until eaten or used as an ingredient. Doing so will extend their freshness and shelf life.
We recommend you purchase your berries as close as possible to the date you intend to use them. Shelf life can range from a couple of days to almost a week depending on the type of berry. Raspberries are highly perishable and the most fragile berry we offer, blueberries are the hardiest, and strawberries and blackberries are in-between.
- What are the little hairs on my raspberries and blackberries?
The small hairs on raspberries and blackberries are called "styles." They are a female part of the flower, which is a natural part of the fruit, and are completely safe and natural. They can range in length and in color from light blonde to brown/black. They can be visible and more prevalent on some berries and hardly noticeable on others, depending on the particular berry plant.
- What is the white, waxy coating on my blueberries and raspberries and is it safe to eat?
The white, waxy coating on the outside of blueberries is called "bloom." This is part of the berry's natural defense mechanism, which protects the berries from sunlight, holding in valuable moisture and extending their shelf life. Bloom is completely natural and not at all harmful. You should not try to wash it off your berries.
Raspberries sometimes have bloom as well, though it's not as prevalent as with blueberries. Raspberry bloom is more gray in color and is sometimes mistaken for mold, but it is not mold, is not an indicator of the fruit's ripeness, and does not in any way affect berry flavor.
- Why are the insides of my strawberries white? Does it mean they aren't ripe?
A white "core" in your strawberries is not an indication of ripeness. The internal pigment of strawberries ranges from snow white to bright red and is a characteristic that has to do with the type of berry plant variety, and not with the berries' ripeness or flavor.
- What types of berries does Driscoll's offer?
Driscoll's offers organic and non-organic (conventionally grown) berries, including strawberries, long stem strawberries, red and golden raspberries, blueberries and blackberries, all year long.
- How do I freeze berries?
Strawberries
If you plan to freeze your strawberries, be sure to wash your berries carefully in cold water. Remove the stems and any soft spots. Pack the berries into freezable containers, or freeze them on a cookie sheet tray and then pack them into containers as soon as they are frozen. Seal the container and keep frozen until you are ready to use them.
Raspberries and Blackberries
Raspberries and blackberries are very perishable, and fresh raspberries are very sensitive to freeze damage. If you plan to freeze raspberries or blackberries, rinse them gently in cool water and dry in a colander or on paper towels. Place a sheet of wax paper on a cookie sheet tray then place the berries on the tray in the freezer. Pack the berries into containers as soon as they are frozen. Seal the container and keep frozen until you are ready to use them. By freezing berries this way, they won't stick to each other and you can easily measure out as many as you would like.
Blueberries
If you plan to freeze your blueberries, do not wash them before freezing as doing so will make the blueberry skins tough. Pack berries into freezable containers, or freeze them on a tray and then pack them into containers as soon as they are frozen. Seal the container and keep frozen until you are ready to use them. Be sure to wash the thawed blueberries prior to using them.
Health & Nutrition
- What are the nutritional benefits and calories of berries?
Berries are some of the most delicious, nutritious, disease-fighting fruits you can eat. They:
- Have less than 80 calories per 1-cup serving, are low in fat, have low carbohydrates (Atkins friendly), and have no sodium or cholesterol
- Are high in Vitamin C for healthy skin and bones and fiber to protect against colon cancer
- Are high in antioxidants, which help prevent heart disease and can slow the effects of aging
Berries contain:
- Calcium for healthy teeth and bones
- Iron to help the blood and muscles supply oxygen to the body
- Protein to maintain and repair all the tissues in our bodies
- Folic acid to aid in the prevention of birth defects
- All these health benefits and they taste great!
Strawberries are an excellent source of vitamin C. In fact, 8 medium strawberries provide 84 milligrams of vitamin C or 93% of your recommended daily intake. That's more vitamin C than one medium orange!
The Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity–or ORAC Value–measures the antioxidant levels of foods. The higher the ORAC Value, the more antioxidants a food has. Foods high in antioxidants give the body its greatest protection.
Berries, with their high antioxidant levels, are some of the most delicious and powerful disease-fighting foods available. Blueberries are among the fruits and vegetables with the highest antioxidant levels with an ORAC Value of 5486. Blackberries have an ORAC Value of 4654; strawberries have 3520 and raspberries, 2789. Berry ORAC levels top that of many other fruits and vegetables such as oranges, grapefruit, cherries, plums, brussel sprouts, broccoli and spinach.
Leading health organizations like the American Cancer Society and American Heart Association recommend 5 to 10 servings of fruits and vegetables a day to improve health and reduce the risk of certain diseases. Ensuring an adequate supply of fresh produce is a critical U.S. health priority. Studies show only one-third of Americans eat five or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day. Driscoll's is committed to providing berries that are delightful to eat and very good for you all year long.
One serving of strawberries (1 cup/approx. 8 medium berries) provides:
- 45 calories with 1g protein and no fat
- 16% of your day's supply of fiber
- 20% of your day's supply of folic acid
- 4% of your day's supply of iron
- 2% of your day's supply of calcium
- 3520 ORAC Value
One serving of raspberries (1 cup) provides:
- 60 calories with 1g protein and only 1g fat
- 50% of your day's supply of vitamin C
- 32% of your day's supply of fiber
- 6% of your day's supply of folic acid
- 4% of your day's supply of iron
- 4% of your day's supply of calcium
- 2789 ORAC Value
One serving of blackberries (1 cup) provides:
- 60 calories with 2g protein and only 1g fat
- 50% of your day's supply of vitamin C
- 32% of your day's supply of fiber
- 9% of your day's supply of folic acid
- 6% of your day's supply of iron
- 4% of your day's supply of calcium
- 4654 ORAC Value
One serving of blueberries (1 cup) provides:
- 80 calories with 1g protein and no fat
- 25% of your day's supply of vitamin C
- 14% of your day's supply of fiber
- 2% of your day's supply of folic acid
- 2% of your day's supply of iron
- 5486 ORAC Value
- What are antioxidants? Why are they so important and are they found in berries?
Antioxidants are natural substances found in plants, which are known to aid in the prevention of heart disease, cancer and stroke. They provide protection by neutralizing free radicals, which are substances that form when oxygen is burned by the body. Free radicals travel through cells, disrupting the structure of other molecules, causing cellular damage. This cell damage is believed to contribute to aging and various health problems. In addition to boosting your immune system, Antioxidants have been found to slow the effects of aging by improving things like memory, balance, coordination and motor skills.
Berries are some of the most delicious and powerful disease-fighting foods available. The ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) Value measures the Antioxidant levels of foods. Blueberries top the charts (of 40 fruits and vegetables tested) for Antioxidants with an ORAC Value of 5486. Right behind blueberries are blackberries with an ORAC Value of 4654; strawberries at 3520 and raspberries, 2789. Berry ORAC levels top that of many other fruits and vegetables such as oranges, grapefruit, cherries, plums, brussel sprouts, broccoli and spinach. Foods high in Antioxidants give the body its greatest protection.
- Does Driscoll's have a Food Safety Program in place?
Driscoll's has a stringent Global Food Safety Program in place. As part of our Global Food Safety Program, we audit every farm and facility around the world for food safety, environmental welfare, and the fair and ethical treatment of workers.
Scheduled and random audits of independent berry farmers are performed by a certified, independent hird-party agency to ensure adherence to Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) for food safety set by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (US FDA), as well as GAPs for proper working conditions, and worker and environmental welfare which comply with g lobal EUREPGAP standards. All the independent farmers around the world that grow Driscoll's brand berries must adhere to the same stringent GAP and EUREPGAP standards.
Our Global Food Safety Program audits are performed in the fields, cooling facilities and distribution facilities and monitor soil, water, fertilizer use, pest control methods, harvest practices, and food safety and security procedures.
In accordance with EUREPGAP, audits are performed regarding employee working conditions, safety and hygiene, in addition to environmental issues such as chemical use, storage and disposal, water and waste management, damage to animal habitats, and conservation of natural resources.
Driscoll's has performed over 1,400 independent third-party audits in the last 12 months through a certified, independent third-party laboratory, demonstrating our commitment to the highest standards of food safety, and worker and environmental welfare.
- Does Driscoll's irradiate their fruit?
Irradiation is a process that preserves food by using a low dose of high-energy gamma rays to kill any germs or insects that could accelerate the food's maturation process and decrease shelf life. Irradiation does not cause the food to be radioactive nor does it increase human exposure to radiation.
Driscoll's does not use irradiation because we believe our harvest and cooling processes are highly effective in maintaining fruit quality and shelf life. Driscoll's has large, modern facilities strategically located in each of our growing areas so berries can be cooled immediately after harvest. These facilities are cleaned and sanitized regularly and inspected randomly by third-party audits throughout each growing season. All of these steps contribute to optimum fruit quality that will deliver a delightful eating experience.
- Does Driscoll's practice genetically modified organisms (GMOs)?
Driscoll's berries are not genetically modified. Genetic modification is the practice of splicing genes from one organism into another to introduce genetic characteristics that creates a hybrid of both organisms, also known as a Genetically Modified Organism or GMO.
Our Research and Development Department is the industry leader in the development of premium berry plants, and utilizes only proven natural, traditional breeding processes such as cross-pollination to create superior varieties of berries.
- Do Driscoll's independent farmers use the plant fumigant methyl bromide?
Methyl bromide has been used as a very effective soil fumigant (pest control agent) for years, and is used in the production and storage of more than 100 crops, including strawberries. The independent farmers who grow berries for Driscoll's use methyl bromide (MBr) on soil before planting non-organic berries.
Methyl bromide used as a pre-plant soil treatment is injected 12 to 18 inches beneath the soil. It is not sprayed or applied to the plants and never comes in contact with the fruit. There are no residues remaining in the soil at planting time, so there are no residues on food produced on methyl bromide-fumigated soil. There are also no risks to harvesters.
Methyl bromide is only used on berries after harvest in rare cases, such as to meet requirements imposed by specific importing countries.
In the United States, federal and state laws strictly regulate the use of pesticides. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (US FDA), and state and county regulatory agencies all have regulatory jurisdiction governing the safe use of pesticides. These rigorous standards for the safe use of pesticides (including methyl bromide) are in place to ensure the safety and health of consumers and farm workers. All independent farmers around the world who grow Driscoll's brand berries must adhere to these same US-based laws and standards.
Driscoll's is conducting our own research and is actively involved in other research efforts to identify and approve alternative pest control methods to replace methyl bromide.
While methyl bromide's use will be reduced in developed countries as of 2005 and in developing countries as of 2015, Driscoll's has mandated that all independent farmers around the world that grow Driscoll's brand berries will follow the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) phase-out timeline. This means that all farmers, in developed AND developing countries, will abide by the phase-out schedule for developed countries like the United States.
- What is Driscoll's doing about chemical usage on crops?
In order to provide the safest berries possible, Driscoll's Global Food Safety Program continually monitors pesticide residues, irrigation water quality, growing procedures, fruit handling, and storage practices in all our facilities and growing locations around the world.
Our Global Food Safety Program includes mandatory pre-harvest testing of fruit samples from all farms where Driscoll's berries are grown to continually monitor pesticide residues. In addition, we perform pesticide tests on fruit at all cooler locations on a random basis. A number of our retail customers also conduct routine, random pesticide residue sampling of our fruit, as does the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) on a seasonal basis. All pest control methods used by Driscoll's independent farmers must be in compliance with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) regulations.
Driscoll's independent farmers have been leaders in the practice of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), which uses a combination of natural and synthetic means to reduce disease and control pests. IPM employs constant field monitoring and can also include the use of beneficial organisms to control damaging pests.
Driscoll's has made a commitment to significantly increase the production of organic berries and to share organic growing practices among farmers of organic and non-organic berries to reduce the use of synthetic materials (including pesticides) in all of our products.
Recipes
- Can you give me berry conversions for recipe ingredients?
Even though Driscoll's fresh berries are wonderful right out of the package, they are also key ingredients in many baked goods, sauces, preserves, salads, etc. The following is the approximate number of berries per Driscoll's package. These numbers are based on medium-sized fruit. Please bear in mind, fruit size will vary depending on the particular fruit variety and time of year/season it is grown and harvested.)
Strawberries 16 oz (1 lb.) 22-25 per package Raspberries 6 oz 54-58 per package Blackberries 6 oz 48-52 per package Blueberries 6 oz 150-170 per package
Questions about our offers
- What should I do if my Driscoll's coupon expired before I redeemed it?
We're sorry to hear that your coupons have expired but will be happy to replace them. In order to do so please forward your outdated coupons to the address below; upon receipt, replacement coupons will be forwarded to you.
Driscoll's
345 Westridge Drive
Watsonville, CA 95076
ATTN: Consumer Relations Department
Expired Coupon ReplacementAt Driscoll's we believe strongly in supporting our customers and are pleased to fulfill coupon requests to either replace a purchase or to provide an opportunity to try our products. In order to provide this service, we must limit the amount of coupons sent to any one address.
Driscoll's Packaging
- Are Driscoll's packages recyclable?
Our containers are stamped with the international recycling code, which is three chasing arrows within a triangle with a number inside to designate the level of recyclability of the container. Currently our packaging is marked with the recycling code #6. While this container is recyclable, it may not be acceptable in all recycling programs or areas. Our goal is to convert our containers to PET, Polyethylene Terephthalate, with recycling code #1, which is the most accepted recyclable packaging.
- Are my berries already washed when I buy them?
Introducing moisture to berries decreases their shelf life and hastens their breakdown process; for this reason, your berries are not washed before you buy them. You should never wash your berries until just before you are ready to eat or use them.
- What should I do if I find a bug/insect in my package of berries?
All of our berries are hand-picked and field-packed, with the exception of blueberries which are sometimes picked using harvesting machines and/or packed in packing facilities. Because berries are very perishable, we touch them only once during the harvest process. They are picked and placed into a plastic consumer package, which is immediately shut when full. From there the berries are taken to our cooler facility, where they are kept in refrigeration until they are transferred onto refrigerated trucks, and delivered to markets throughout the United States or to refrigerated airplane containers for export to other countries. To ensure the utmost quality and freshness, and longest shelf life, they are not touched again until opened by you for consumption. Because of this, occasionally a bug or worm may find its way into a package and go undetected until the berries are ready for use.
Driscoll's has a resident entomologist (bug specialist) who has been with us over 25 years. In rare events where bugs or worms are found in berry packages or in berries themselves, we have had the pests sent to him for identification. Throughout his tenure at Driscoll's, he has never identified a bug or worm that:
- is not a common agricultural pest commonly found in our backyard soil, and
- is in any way harmful if partially or wholly ingested
At Driscoll's we take great pride in growing, harvesting, packaging and shipping the safest, freshest, most flavorful berries possible. We want you to always experience a product that is truly reflective of our high Driscoll's standards. If this is ever not the case, we invite you to contact us at 1-800-871-3333, US and Canada only, www.driscolls.com or via mail at the address below and we will gladly send you some coupon(s) to replace your berries. If you would like the particular bug or worm identified, we will be happy to send you a pre-labeled retrieval kit and notify you once the bug has been identified. We apologize but retrieval kits are sent to the US and Canada only.
Driscoll's
345 Westridge Drive
Watsonville, CA 95076
ATTN: Consumer Relations Department - Does Driscoll's ship berries directly to consumers?
Driscoll's does not sell or ship berries directly to consumers. You can find our premium berries in grocery stores and many wholesale markets around the country. Please visit Where to Buy to find a list of retailers that carry Driscoll's berries throughout the year.