Yellow Wood worked with the Blueberry East Food Ventures (BEFV), a cooperative of blueberry growers in Maine, to evaluate the feasibility of establishing a fruit processing facility for conventional and organic blueberries in Washington County, Maine. Specifically, BEFV wanted to determine the feasibility of adding value to the local blueberry harvest by manufacturing blueberry juice, blueberry puree, blueberry pulp and/or blueberry concentrate. Through an analysis of supply, demand, infrastructure and additional funding sources, Yellow Wood helped BEFV to understand whether or not a fruit processing facility would help to meet their goal of increasing market share for locally processed foods, with increased employment and income opportunities for local growers.
Innovators in Rural Community Economic Development
