Blueberries are expanding their role in the food industry, evolving from a fresh product into an ingredient for functional foods, snacks, children’s beverages and premium spirits. This evolution is reflected in the four startups selected for the 2026 edition of the Blueberry Boost Accelerator, the program promoted by the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) in partnership with consulting firm VentureFuel.
The new edition of the accelerator highlights some of the key trends transforming the food market: functional nutrition, clean-label formulations, healthier snacks, family-oriented products and new premium experiences.
93% of consumers consider blueberries healthy
According to data released by USHBC, 93% of consumers consider blueberries a healthy food, while nearly six in ten would like to find more original and adventurous ways to enjoy them.
The combination of this well-established positive perception and the demand for innovation is creating an interesting opportunity for companies. Blueberries offer flavor, color and a strong association with wellness, characteristics that can increase the perceived value of numerous packaged product categories.
“Today, innovation in the food sector is not simply about creating something new, but about helping consumers eat better without asking them to sacrifice convenience, taste or experience,” said Kevin Hamilton, USHBC’s vice president of global marketing and communications.
“Blueberries have long been recognized for their health and wellness benefits. The companies selected this year demonstrate their extraordinary versatility as an ingredient capable of inspiring new products, consumption occasions and markets.”
Functional jams with protein and fiber
Among the finalists is Jam Packd Jams Blueberries, an Edina, Minnesota-based startup founded by husband-and-wife team Brian and Michelle Platt.
The company offers functional jams with no added sugar, formulated with collagen, protein, prebiotic fiber and superfoods. Its blueberry product is described as the freshest and most intensely fruity variety in the range.
In 2026, Jam Packd Jams was also selected as a finalist in the NEXTY Awards, presented at Natural Products Expo West to recognize the most innovative products in the natural and functional food sector.
Blueberries enter the sugar-free snack category
Dr. John’s Healthy Sweets, a company based in Comstock Park, Michigan, is developing a new blueberry-based fruit snack.
After establishing itself as a producer of sugar-free lollipops, the company intends to apply its confectionery technology expertise to a natural, sugar-free, tooth-friendly snack enriched with nutrients.
Blueberry will be the first flavor in the new fruit snack line, which was presented during the program by Kelly Glynn, the company’s vice president of R&D and Food Safety and Quality Assurance.
Clean-label beverages designed for children
With Oodles of Doodles Blueberry, blueberries are also entering the children’s hydration segment.
The New York-based startup, led by co-founder and CEO Alisha Eason, is developing fruit-flavored beverages with clean-label formulations. The new blueberry variety is expected to reach the market by the end of 2026 in several formats:
ready-to-drink beverages, both still and sparkling;
soluble hydration sticks;
juice boxes enriched with vitamins and fiber.
The variety of formats allows the company to use the same ingredient for different consumption occasions, ranging from school and sports to at-home consumption.
Brandy and liqueurs rooted in New Jersey
The fourth finalist, Blue Rascal Distillery, is taking blueberries beyond more traditional food categories by transforming them into an ingredient for brandy, liqueurs and premium craft spirits.
The company is based in Hammonton, New Jersey, an area with a long history of blueberry production. Co-owner Kelly Perone uses this agricultural connection as a distinctive element to develop products that bring together raw materials, regional origin and the consumption experience.
The project demonstrates how blueberries can also find a place in high-end alcoholic beverages through storytelling centered on provenance and local production traditions.
An ingredient that spans multiple categories
The composition of the finalist group is particularly significant because it is not focused on a single trend. Blueberries are being used simultaneously as a functional ingredient, a natural alternative in confectionery products, a recognizable flavor for family beverages and a raw material for premium spirits.
“This edition demonstrates that blueberries represent an innovation platform for the entire consumer packaged goods sector,” said Fred Schonenberg, founder and CEO of VentureFuel.
According to Schonenberg, although the startups operate in different categories, they are responding to the same shift in demand: consumers are seeking foods that offer greater functionality and value while remaining familiar, trustworthy and enjoyable.
New opportunities for growers
During the Blueberry Boost Accelerator, the selected companies will work with industry experts to refine their products, strengthen their go-to-market strategies and accelerate growth.
The program aims not only to support startups but also to create new opportunities for U.S. growers by expanding where, when and how blueberries are consumed.
The program will conclude in September 2026 with a live competition during The Blueberry Convention. The founders will present their projects with the aim of securing non-dilutive funding and additional opportunities to accelerate market entry and expansion.
The initiative highlights a strategic shift for the industry: the future growth of blueberries may depend not only on increased fresh consumption but also on their ability to become a recognizable and distinctive ingredient within new food categories.
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