RIO RICO, AZ - Fresh Farms is making sure its name and crops can be found all over the map, with expansion efforts underway in Mexico to broaden the scope of its grape growing regions. Specifically, the grower just set up shop in the state of Jalisco, which is 1,000 miles south of its current Mexico-based operations.

I had the opportunity to speak with Juan Pablo Molina, General Manager, to find out more about Fresh Farms’ upcoming season and how the newly added growing region will bolster its crop.

“This will be our first year with real commercial volume, and we expect to double it for next year with more great new varieties,” Juan told me. “This will put us in the market with fresh grapes in April of this year, just in time for the marketing order that comes in on April 10. This season, we will offer new varieties of fresh fruit and get in front of retailers and our customers earlier in the marketplace.”

Despite this being Fresh Farms’ first real season out of Jalisco, Juan explained that retailers and customers can expect the company’s usual focus on quality beyond flavor. In Jalisco, the company will have varieties like Sweet Globe, Ivory, Sugar Crisp, and Cotton Candy.

“We not only try to deliver the best quality grape with the best flavor the variety can give, but we also go beyond that by taking care of our employees in every way possible,” Juan said. “We make efforts to be a sustainable grower and are getting better every year. Currently, we are one of the few Fair Trade grape growers.”

With more to come from Fresh Farms—including that doubled commercial volume next season—I think it’s safe to say this grape grower is one to watch as we continue on through spring.

For more fresh produce news like this, stay tuned to AndNowUKnow.

Fresh Farms