'Popcorn of fruit' innovators' business named #eatqld champion

Stuart and Allison McGruddy, Queensland innovators and Directors of My Berries, create products from surplus Australian soft fruits. Most of its products can be found in the freezer section but its latest freeze-dried range, dubbed ‘the popcorn of fruit’, can also be found in the snack and pantry aisles.

Based at Caboolture, My Berries has been named an #eatqld champion for supporting local farmers and recently received a Moreton Bay Food and Agribusiness Excellence Award for its innovative approach to reducing the nation’s edible food waste.

The Queensland Government’s #eatqld campaign encourages the community to eat local, stay healthy and support jobs in the state’s agricultural sector — all values shared by the farming families behind My Berries.

Stuart McGruddy said: “We’re proud to be expanding our facilities and investing in innovative processing and packaging techniques that minimise seasonal food waste. An example of our team’s ingenuity is our latest freeze-dried product where we take freshly picked, juicy berries and turn them into crunchy, highly nutritious snack bites, packaged like popcorn.”

“The science behind it relies on the process starting quickly straight off the farm to preserve the fruits’ vitamins and antioxidants. Specialised slow-drying methods intensify the fruits’ flavour and texture to create berries that are sweet and crispy and can be stored at room temperature.”

The snack is made from 100% fruit with a 12 g pack being equivalent to a 125 g punnet of fresh berries.

Allison McGruddy said the My Berries mission is to find a home for seasonal berries and not to waste a punnet.

“In peak season when there’s a surplus, we don’t want our hard-working farmers to discard perfectly ripe fruits, so My Berries cut, wash, dry and freeze them to safeguard the quality supply year-round. Our frozen and freeze-dried products are a safe and sustainable alternative to imports in the off-season.

“My Berries can trace each fruit back to its original farm and proudly partner with farmers who grow their fruit with minimal intervention,” she added.

“The map on every pack of our Freeze Dried Fruit Bites shows we source strawberries, blackberries and raspberries from Queensland’s Moreton Bay region, and blueberries from the New South Wales coastline.

“We’re so proud that our small family business is being recognised for finding new and delicious ways for people to enjoy Aussie grown and made berries.”