A legacy of flavor and quality, Driscoll’s combines traditional farming with cutting-edge innovation and sustainable practices to deliver the world’s finest berries, fostering community and environmental stewardship along the way.
Driscoll’s, a company synonymous with the production of fresh berries, has established itself as a leader in both the agricultural and business worlds. With roots in the Pajaro Valley of California dating back to the early 1900s, the brand has cultivated a reputation that reflects dedication to quality, sustainable practices, and community engagement.
Today, Driscoll’s operates as a global company that offers a variety of premium strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries, providing consumers with a year-round supply of fruit.
The story of Driscoll’s begins with two friends, Joseph “Ed” Reiter and Richard “Dick” Driscoll, who began growing strawberries in the early 20th century. Over the following decades, the company expanded from a small-scale berry operation into an agricultural powerhouse.
By the 1950s, Driscoll’s was pioneering innovations, introducing patented strawberry varieties that allowed for extended growing seasons and long-distance shipping.
Throughout its history, the brand’s evolution has reflected a commitment to improvement, exemplified by its groundbreaking introduction of the clear clamshell packaging in the 1990s. This innovation revolutionized how berries were packaged and sold, setting a new industry standard.
A defining feature of Driscoll’s is its reliance on independent farmers, many of whom are part of family-owned businesses. This model reflects the company’s core value of partnership, with approximately 85% of its revenue reinvested in independent farms.
The collaboration allows Driscoll’s to cultivate berries in diverse growing regions across the United States and beyond, from California to Mexico and Europe. By selecting regions with optimal environmental conditions, the company ensures the production of flavorful berries, no matter the season. This emphasis on agricultural diversity exemplifies the company’s philosophy of working with nature rather than controlling it.
Driscoll’s success can also be attributed to its commitment to research and development. At the heart of its operations is a team known as the “Berry Innovators,” comprised of agronomists, sensory analysts, and plant scientists.
These experts engage in natural breeding methods, using traditional cross-pollination techniques to develop berries that are not only delicious but also disease-resistant. The brand’s focus on taste, texture, and aroma is highlighted by the creation of tools like the Driscoll’s Sensory Wheel, which captures the intricate qualities that define an exceptional berry.
In addition to flavor innovation, Driscoll’s demonstrates a strong commitment to environmental responsibility. The company has implemented several sustainability initiatives aimed at reducing its environmental footprint, particularly in the area of packaging.
As a signatory of the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment, Driscoll’s has pledged to minimize plastic waste by making all packaging reusable, recyclable, or compostable by 2025.
The company is making efforts to increasingly introduce eco-friendly packaging; a recent example is the launch of its paper berry packs in Asda and Booths stores in the UK.
Images: Courtesy of Driscoll’s
Driscoll’s also leads by example through its adoption of renewable energy solutions. A recent installation of solar panels at its cooling facility in Santa Maria, California, is expected to offset 92% of the facility’s energy usage, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This initiative reflects Driscoll’s broader strategy of integrating clean energy into its operations to promote sustainability across its supply chain.
Beyond the fields and factories, Driscoll’s places a strong emphasis on social responsibility. Recognizing that the well-being of farmworkers is essential to its mission, the company has developed a labor program focused on creating fair working conditions.
Independent farmers who partner with Driscoll’s are required to adhere to strict labor standards, ensuring that all workers are treated with dignity and respect. The company actively collaborates with governments and non-governmental organizations to raise labor standards across the agricultural industry, particularly in regions like Mexico and Morocco.
Water stewardship is another priority for Driscoll’s. Understanding the vital role that water plays in agriculture, the company has invested in sustainable water management practices.
In collaboration with institutions like the University of California, Driscoll’s has piloted projects to collect stormwater and replenish aquifers, ensuring that water resources remain available for future generations. These efforts underscore the company’s commitment to balancing agricultural productivity with environmental conservation.
Despite its focus on sustainability, Driscoll’s remains dedicated to providing consumers with the highest quality berries. Each berry is handpicked, inspected, and carefully transported to ensure it arrives fresh at the store.
The company’s meticulous attention to food safety is evidenced by its Global Food Safety Program, which includes over 2,500 audits annually across its farms and facilities. Driscoll’s commitment to transparency extends to product traceability, with barcodes that allow the company to track the origin of each batch of berries, ensuring accountability at every step of the supply chain.
Through thoughtful innovation and a dedication to ethical practices, Driscoll’s has cultivated more than just berries, it has cultivated trust.
