REEDLEY, CA - A highly anticipated time of year has arrived, bringing an abundance of high-quality California table grapes into the eager hands of consumers. With peak season officially underway, Creekside Organics is ensuring strong category momentum with two beloved California varieties.

“The grape category is looking strong this season, with excellent quality and flavor across the board,” shares Bianca Kaprielian, Co-Chief Executive Officer of Creekside Organics and Founder of Fruit World. “We’re super pleased with how the grapes are coloring up—about 10 days earlier than last season. We’ve been shipping organic Thomcords for almost two weeks now, with strong harvest projections and their signature ‘grapiest grape’ flavor that makes them a seasonal favorite. We also just started harvesting our Kyoho grapes—a prized seeded variety that is big on flavor.”

Both of these enticing table grape varieties are grown in California’s Central Valley. The season promises plentiful volumes of organic Thomcords, followed by conventional Kyohos and a limited amount of organic red and green varieties.

“Right now is a perfect time to spotlight the table grape category—it's peak season, and grapes check all the boxes for summer shoppers: they're refreshing, easy to snack on, and kid-friendly. Perfect for picnics, lunchboxes, and camping trips—grapes are the kind of grab-and-go fruit that fits seamlessly into any summer routine,” Bianca adds.

So, how can retailers maximize demand and impact this season? The supplier advises retailers to optimize seasonal standalone displays and signage highlighting these unique varieties, especially through nostalgia-themed messaging or “taste of summer” campaigns. Sampling is another key sales driver, Bianca explains.

“If sampling is possible, it can be a game changer—once people try a Thomcord, they get it!” she says. “We hear it all season long from our customers; we include a card in every pack of our organic Thomcord grapes inviting people to text us their stories, memories, or reactions. The messages we get are thoughtful, funny, and heartfelt, and we share highlights throughout the season to celebrate the love people have for these grapes.”

This connection between flavor, nostalgia, and real people, Bianca tells me, is what makes this program so special. Another key differentiating factor is the grower’s commitment to flavor and sustainability.

“We lead with taste—selecting unique varieties like organic Thomcords and Kyoho grapes that deliver a super memorable eating experience,” Bianca notes. “To reduce our use of plastic and reflect our sustainability values, we offer a compostable and recyclable paper tote pack. We also offer a recyclable clamshell to customers who need the structure of that pack, but the paper totes have gained a lot of traction since we started packing in them five years ago.”

Bianca continues, “What most sets us apart is that behind every pack is a deep-rooted commitment to keeping family farms thriving and a team that’s responsive, thoughtful, and dedicated to building long-term relationships.”

As always, keep a tab on the latest opportunities in the produce department with insights from AndNowUKnow.