Jam Packd, the Functional Fruit Spread Reinventing the $13 Billion Jam Category, Wins the Blueberry Boost Accelerator

MONTEREY, Calif., Sept. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) has crowned Jam Packd, a functional jam packed with collagen protein, prebiotic fiber, superfoods, and no added sugar, as the grand prize winner of the second annual Blueberry Boost Accelerator, following an exciting pitch competition finale held at the 2026 Blueberry Convention, Sept. 22-25 in Monterey, Calif. Jam Packd also won the fan vote among participants sampling their product at the Blueberry Convention.

As winner, Jam Packd will receive $20,000 in non-dilutive funding and opportunities to accelerate market expansion for the functional fruit spread reimagining the $13+ billion jam category. Runner-up Blue Rascal Distillery, which boldly showcases blueberries in premium brandy, liqueurs and craft spirits, will use their $10,000 prize to bring their spirits and liqueurs made from blueberries to more people.

The competition marked the finale of the Blueberry Boost Accelerator, an eight-week hybrid program developed by USHBC in partnership with innovation advisory firm VentureFuel to fuel forward-thinking product innovation and elevate blueberries as a hero ingredient across food, beverage, and beyond.

The Accelerator connected early-stage, revenue-generating companies of products innovating with blueberries to leaders in the blueberry, food, food retail and Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) industries. The program fast-tracked growth of the cohort through expert mentorship, tailored commercialization support and strategic guidance. Participants received professional brand assets like video commercials and sales materials; gained media exposure; connected with buyers, investors and innovation leaders; refined their pitch with 1:1 support; and showcased their product.

Pitches were evaluated by a live panel of experts including Andrew Green of Nanos; Jeff Malensky of Oregon Berry Packing; Kyla Oberman of California Giant Berry Farms; and Kevin McCarthy of Procter & Gamble.

Jam Packd's co-founders, husband-and-wife team Brian and Michelle Platt, captured the judges' attention with their goal of transforming the jam aisle with their functional fruit spread designed to bring more nutrition to an everyday pantry staple. Each jar of Jam Packd Blueberries starts with nearly two jars' worth of blueberries, while each serving delivers 8g of collagen protein, 6–7g of prebiotic fiber and 21 plant-derived vitamins and minerals per serving.

"The Blueberry Boost Accelerator came at an exciting time for Jam Packd as we make the leap from a direct-to-consumer brand into national retail," said co-founder, Michelle Platt. Brian Platt went on to share that, "the experts we've met through the program have helped us think more strategically about our business and what comes next. The prize money will help us introduce Jam Packd to more consumers, build brand awareness, and create momentum as we expand into more stores."

In addition to pitching live, the companies showcased their products, sampled with attendees, and connected directly with blueberry industry stakeholders at the Convention. They used the opportunity to meet with and learn from the broader industry, building relationships poised to accelerate market entry and scale.

"Building on the success of our first year, this program continues to showcase the incredible innovation happening with blueberries" said Kevin Hamilton, USHBC vice president of global marketing and communications. "In its second year, we're seeing entrepreneurs take even bigger steps, from developing differentiated products and exploring new formats to building brands with real potential for retail growth and scale. It's exciting to see this community of founders, industry leaders and partners come together to help turn bold ideas into commercial opportunities and shape what's next for blueberries."

"Jam Packd represents the kind of exciting innovation that moves the blueberry category forward," said Fred Schonenberg, Founder and CEO of VentureFuel. "When founders have the right industry connections, expertise, and resources behind them, great products can become great businesses that create new demand for blueberries."

For more information on the program and this year's winners, visit blueberryboostaccelerator.com.

About the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council
The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) is a federal agriculture research and promotion program with independent oversight from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). USHBC represents blueberry growers and packers in North and South America who market their blueberries in the United States and overseas, and works to promote the growth and well-being of the entire blueberry industry. USHBC is committed to providing blueberries that are grown, harvested, packed and shipped in clean, safe environments. Learn more at ushbc.blueberry.org and blueberry.org.

About VentureFuel
VentureFuel helps established organizations accelerate growth through strategic startup partnerships. Powered by its repeatable Innovation Engine™, VentureFuel identifies, validates, and commercializes emerging technologies, transforming innovation into measurable business outcomes in months instead of years. The company has facilitated 100+ corporate-startup partnerships, unlocking more than $1BN in enterprise value creation for clients. Learn more at VentureFuel.net and listen to The VentureFuel Visionaries podcast.

PR Contact
Anna Walsh
917-969-7081
[email protected] 

SOURCE U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council