Remember those fire GG4 and Bubblegum strains from Garden State Dispensary (GSD) a few years back? Well, dust off your grinder because the OG growers behind that magic are back. Say hello to FRESH, a new cultivator and soon-to-be solventless manufacturer who kicked off their grow op (building rooms/cleaning etc.) in March 2024 and dropped their Jersey-FRESH greens at Pure Blossom in August.
We caught up with Kris Brandyberry, FRESH’s Chief Operations Officer (COO) oversees Cultivation and Post Production Managers, to learn more about what they’re bringing to NJ.
Meet Kris
Reflecting on how he entered the cannabis world, Kris said, “Cannabis really found me.” After college, Kris started at Williams Nursery, where he developed his plant expertise. An old buddy, Danielle Alvarez Wolf from GSD’s legal team, spotted his plant skills and reached out about a gig as a cultivation tech. From there, Kris quickly advanced to head grower and now he’s running the show at FRESH.
FRESH Cultivation
FRESH is made up of a team of plant science experts and cannabis enthusiasts where every voice counts, and everyone wears multiple hats. As Kris puts it, “I like to have all my cultivation techs know how to do everything.”
Their grow style? It’s a mix of cutting-edge tech and good old horticultural know-how. We’re talking granular salt based fertilizers, space-saving Pipp Racks and advanced FOHSE LED lighting. They’ve even got this “Direct Inject” nutrient delivery system for precise feeding, and they’re using Grodan Rockwool Cubes for better water and nutrient control.
Right now, they’re experimenting with over 100 different genetics including high quality genetics popular in in the Denver and East Coast markets. The goal? To narrow it down to the top 50 strains and grow them consistently. Kris says, “We’re putting a lot of love into it, and it’s only gonna get better.”
The Proof is in the Potency
FRESH came out swinging with their first run. We’re talking THCa levels in the mid to upper 20s, and their E85 strain hit an absurd 4.25% terpenes (1-2% is very standard for dry flower).
FRESH is on the mission to “give the people a breath of fresh air in this market as to what a MSO can be and what quality should be. And put some other people on warning, like, hey, you can’t just keep selling these smalls [as premium].”
What’s Next for FRESH
FRESH is teaming up with 710 Labs for some next-level stuff, dedicating three full flower rooms to 710’s genetics and grow methods in the next couple months. In addition, 710 will also oversee the build-out of a solvent extract lab.
💚 Shout-Outs to the NJ Cannabis Community 💚
“I’d like to shout out Beth Conway and the recently founded NJ Cannabis Chamber of Commerce for fostering networking relationships between different businesses and retailers. Also, a shoutout to the OGs from GSD, Joe Campbell at Aunt Mary’s, and Alexandra Varello at Anja, who’s also teaching a hemp class at Rutgers.”
Visit Pure Blossom for Cannabis and Other Essentials
Explore Pure Blossom’s curated selection of New Jersey cannabis brands and essential accessories. Whether you’re doing the old Google thing, searching for a dispensary near me or nearby dispensaries in New Jersey, Pure Blossom is a short, scenic, calming drive away, and our friendly guide-connoisseurs are excited to take you through our curated selection of New Jersey cannabis brands (and other essentials). We’ll see you there!