Sweet alliance a boost for Aussie berries

7th January 2021 | Eativity editors

South East Queensland frozen berry producer My Berries has once again teamed up with Arnott’s Biscuits to produce a new flavour in the soon-to-be-released Tim Tam Crafted Collection – Moreton Bay Raspberry and Dark Choc Tim Tam.

My Berries’ range of nutrient-rich frozen fruit is fast becoming a favourite among health-conscious Aussie consumers, and it’s with great excitement that the business announces its second collaboration with Arnott’s. The first joint venture lead to the Sunshine Coast Strawberries and Cream Tim Tam early last year, which featured strawberries that were rejected from supermarkets. This month sees the launch of the famous biscuit brand’s latest Crafted Collection, which includes Moreton Bay Raspberry and Dark Choc.

Allison and Stuart McGruddy make the most of every berry they grow.

My Berries owners Stuart and Allison McGruddy work, live and raise their family in the Moreton Bay region, and the pair are dedicated to promoting the beautiful berries the area produces. Moreton Bay is one of the largest raspberry farming regions in Australia, and its perfect climate means that raspberries are grown all year round.

Finding innovative ways to use berries that were considered the wrong size, shape or colour for mainstream supermarkets was paramount to the McGruddys, and so, in 2013 they established My Berries to freeze the surplus berries, creating a quality value-added product that also reduces food waste. All My Berries fruit is ethically grown and hand-picked and frozen on the day of harvest, while the berries are at their nutritional and flavourful peak. The Australian-grown frozen range includes raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, blackcurrants, mixed berries and even mangoes, which are all hand-prepared by a dedicated local team who pride themselves on their work.

As part of the McGruddys’ commitment, My Berries works with growers in the area to develop and promote raspberries. This collaboration with Arnott’s has given the couple a great opportunity to take their support of Moreton Bay-grown berries to a wider audience.

My Berries range is ideal for smoothies, desserts, baking, pancakes and syrups.

In 2020, Stuart received the Hort Innovation Churchill Fellowship award to expand his knowledge in the freezing of whole soft berry fruits. The frozen berry industry here in Australia is currently dominated by imported fruits, and Stuart plans to use his award to change this by gaining the skills and know-how needed to help local berry producers take advantage of new technologies, processing methods and business opportunities.

“My dad and elder brother Richard brought the first raspberry plant over from the USA and created a farm that grows the most delicious raspberries in the country,” Stuart says. “I’m so proud to be able to continue what they started and to develop new and exciting ways to share our berries with our fellow Aussies.”

My Berries Aussie Grown Frozen Fruits are available at more than 850 independent grocery stores throughout Australia and Singapore, and can also be ordered for home delivery at myberries.com.au. You can get your hands on the Moreton Bay Raspberry and Dark Choc Tim Tams when they hit shelves on January 11.