Strawberries generate 7X more emissions than this berry

Berries have long been celebrated for their vibrant colors, delicious taste, and impressive health benefits. In the past 20 years, their popularity has doubled, fueled by health fanatics for their functional value. But while these tiny fruits pack a punch in flavor and wellness, do they leave just as small an environmental footprint? For the most part, yes—but when it comes to sustainability, some berries are clear winners while others fall behind.

In today’s issue:

• Health: Nature’s medicine

• History: From indigenous staple to global commodity

• Industry: Native to the US, yet dependent on imports

• Early Adopters: wild for the win!

HEALTH

Nature’s medicine

Berries have been used for centuries for their medicinal properties, often serving as the only remedy long before modern medicine confirmed their health benefits. For instance, strawberries were used to treat cuts, with their anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Raspberry leaf tea was commonly used to sooth menstrual cramps, while blackberries improved digestion, particularly those caused by contaminated food or water. Blueberries were prized for their ability to promote cardiovascular health and longevity where as cranberries were invaluable to sailors battled scurvy during long sea voyages as well as treating urinary tract infections (UTIs). While these uses were widely practiced, scientific research has only recently confirmed the profound health benefits of these berries.

Although berries are low in calories, carbs, protein, and fat, they are powerhouses of micronutrients, primarily antioxidants and polyphenols. These compounds protect against chronic diseases like heart disease, cancer and diabetes.

Comparing 100 g of 24 popular fruits, various berries rank in the top 3 fruits for 9 micronutrients:

In particular, the polyphenols and antioxidants found in berries are bioavailable to combat oxidative stress and support overall health. This has lead to a variety of preventative measures against chronic diseases:

1. Blueberries lower the risk of 5 cancers; breast, colon, prostate, cervical & gastric (2011).

2. Cranberries lower the risk of cardiovascular disease (2007).

3. Blackberries lower the risk of colon & rectum cancer (2015).

4. Raspberries lower the risk of Type 2 Diabetes (2021).

5. Strawberries regulate blood pressure and reduce cholesterol (2016).

Incorporating a variety of these berries into your diet can be a delicious and effective way to support your overall health. Whether you’re boosting your immune system, lowering your risk of chronic disease or simply enjoying a refreshing taste, berries have you covered.

HISTORY

From indigenous staple to global commodity

Wild strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries & cranberries grew abundantly across the US, thriving in the moderate climates with abundant sources of water. These conditions ensured berries became integral to the diet of Indigenous Americans. One popular dish, Pemmican, made from large game, rendered fat, and dried berries was especially important during long winter journeys. It may have even been present at the first Thanksgiving in 1621, where the Wampanoag people shared a meal with the Pilgrims in Massachusetts. The tart flavor of cranberries would have paired perfectly with the game birds that were shared, and that tradition continues today. These wild berries were also vital in trade, valued not only for their food uses but also for their medicinal properties and dyes.

However, these wild berries didn’t stay wild for long. The Industrial Revolution (1760 - 1840) motivated horticulturists to breed crops that could be mass-produced for broader markets. This led to the modification of wild berries to increase yields, standardize size, shape and ripeness and improve resistance to local diseases.

The first berries commercially cultivated in the US were the cranberry in 1816, raspberry in 1825, and strawberry in 1834. By the 1870s, cranberry farming spread to Wisconsin, Oregon & Washington where the wetlands and cooler climates created optimal conditions compared to the East Coast.

The blackberry followed in 1864, cultivated on the West Coast in California; then, in 1916, blueberries were cultivated in New Jersey. Blueberries soon spread to Michigan, where the growing conditions were ideal and farmers were skilled in cultivating other fruits like cherries and apples.

While it might seem like there’s only one variety of each berry, the truth is far different. Strawberries alone have between 600 - 1,000 varieties, each bred to cater to different consumer preferences worldwide. Today, strawberries are the most popular berry, accounting for over 50% of the production when considering both domestic production and imports.

INDUSTRY

Native to the US, yet dependent on imports

How are berries harvested?

Before berries can be harvested they must first be planted. Fortunately, berry bushes are perennials, meaning they produce fruit for multiple years. However, the strawberry industry doesn’t take full advantage of this trait; as they are commonly replanted to produce fruit year round. In contrast, blackberries and raspberries can bear fruit for 15 years when pruned annually to make way for new growth.

Blueberries and cranberries are exceptionally hardy plants, which significantly extends their fruit-bearing life. Blueberries can last up to 35 years while cranberries can continue producing fruit for 75 years. Both have dense root systems that thrive in poor soil, where there tends to be less competition. Additionally, these plants have adaptations suited to their climate:

1. High antioxidant levels deter many insects, birds and small herbivores

2. High antioxidant levels neutralize fungi growth

3. Winter dormancy allows the plant to rest during harsh conditions

For berries consumed raw, the delicate fruit is typically hand-pick to prevent bruising. This labor intensive process selects the highest quality berries using minimal tools such as buckets, rakes, or scissors. Most of the berries consumed raw are imported, as labor costs are more affordable abroad. This video provides a first-hand view into the strawberry industry:

In contrast, when quantity is a bigger priority—especially for berries used in juices, jams, or syrups—mechanical harvesters are employed. These machines shake the bushes, enabling farmers to harvest 15X more berries per hour than they could by hand.

Cranberries are an anomaly, where farmers flood their fields, called bogs, the day before harvesting. This floats the berry to the surface where they can be dislodged from their vines. This vast amount of water attracts insects including the wolf spider which can reach up to 4 inches when considering its leg span.

Is the US self-sufficient when it comes to berries?

Far from it, but there are 3 states that help satisfy the US demand for berries:

1. California produces

   1. 67% of the strawberries

   2. 9% of the raspberries

   3. 7% of the blackberries

2. Washington produces

   1. 12% of the blueberries

3. Wisconsin produces

   1. 47% of the cranberries

Despite these contributions, the US is at a deficit in the berry industry. Only strawberries and cranberries have a considerable domestic production while the other berries rely heavily on imports from 5 countries in the Americas.

How do we consume berries?

With the exception of cranberries, 85% of berries are eaten raw, frozen or dried. When processed, these berries are primarily used to make jams and syrups, with a fair few as additives to baked goods and dairy products.

Cranberries, on the other hand, are only consumed raw, frozen or dried 55% of the time, likely due to their tart flavor. The remaining is processed, with 27% turned into juice and 18% into cranberry sauce.

Processing berries can compromise the nutritional value for a few reasons:

1. Added sugar, preservatives or artificial colors/flavors

2. Removes fiber when filtered

3. Reduction in Vitamin C when cooked or pasteurized

EARLY ADOPTERS

Early adopters prefer to enjoy berries raw, preserving their full nutritional benefits that would otherwise degrade with common industry processing. To further minimize environmental impact, they often seek out farmers’ markets, U-pick farms or even spend an afternoon foraging, reducing both transportation and packaging waste.

Since fresh berries last only about a week, early adopters opt for frozen berries over dried ones. This is largely because oven-drying requires 4X more energy than flash-freezing.

Alternatively, freeze-dried berries—first by flash-freezing, then grinding them into a powder before drying—helps preserve nutrients in a shelf-stable product but uses more energy than either freezing or drying.

Which berry uses the least resources?

Wild blueberries require the fewest resources per pound followed by raspberries and blackberries. In contrast, cranberries require massive amounts of water, while large-scale strawberry and cultivated blueberry production generate higher emissions.

Are wild berries more nutritious than cultivated ones?

Yes, wild berries develop strong natural defenses against pests and harsh weather, leading to higher levels of micronutrients compared to cultivated varieties. In fact, wild blueberries— the only wild berry commonly found in grocery stores—qualify as a superfood.

If none of these options sound appealing, consider cutting out processed berries from your diet. Weather its the canned cranberry sauce at Thanksgiving or the strawberry flavor in Neapolitan ice cream, these processed versions lack the health benefits of real, whole berries.

If none of these options are feasible for your lifestyle, consider taking a closer look at the label. Some examples include:

• Juices that are cold-pressed & not from concentrate.

• Jams that are unfiltered & without added sugar.

TIGHT 5

• Maine: produces 99% of the wild blueberries consumed in the US.

• 330 AD: The year raspberries were first grown by the Romans.

• Strawberries: Have 11% more Vitamin C than oranges.

• 200 Years: The lifespan of a cranberry plant if well managed.

• Blackberries: Are the most crossbred berry with 20+ hybrids, the most popular being Marionberry.

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