CHICAGO, IL - Produce has got the power! Predictions swirled late last year asserting 2020 as the year of the blueberry. Now, with McDonald’s debuting a new blueberry item, we can confidently say that the produce industry is all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-seeing when it comes to trends that involve fruit and veg.

According to a report by Hype, McDonald’s is blue-ifying its menu with a couple of consumer favorites and a new dessert item—including a produce-forward take on one of its sweet-treat classics. Specifically, the fast food chain is debuting a Blueberry Cream Cheese Pie and bringing back the Blueberry Sundae, and Blueberry McFlurry.

Each item shines a spotlight on the versatility of the blueberry category, showcasing its potential as a center-of-the-plate star during any time of the eating experience and for any meal of the day—breakfast, lunch, or dinner and as an appetizer, light-bite snack, entrée, or dessert.

The Blueberry Cream Cheese Pie will feature a velvety balance of blueberry filling and cream cheese. The Blueberry Sundae will swirl together vanilla ice cream with decadent blueberry. And the Blueberry McFlurry will introduce consumers to a fusion they didn’t know they needed until now: blueberries and Oreos—all blended together in vanilla ice cream.

How will more foodservice operators—from fast food and fast casual to high-end and boujee—innovate the blueberry category this year? And how will this movement create more supplier partnerships between the buy- and supply-sides? With McDonald’s already heading in the right direction, AndNowUKnow will continue to seek out those industry leaders who are introducing something new and on-trend to the fresh produce sector. Until next time, stay blue-tiful!

McDonald's