GreenFruit Avocados' Kraig Loomis Talks Organic Avocados Program
NEWPORT BEACH, CA - It ain’t easy being one of the leading organic avocado growers in Mexico, but for GreenFruit Avocados, that is an integral part of its initiative to help customers keep up with an ever-expanding demand. To learn more about GreenFruit’s organic avocado program ahead of Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Innovations conference, I spoke with Sales and Marketing Manager Kraig Loomis.
“Expanding our organics program has been a major focus for us as demand continues to grow, and we are currently expanding our organic growing practices in Mexico and now, Colombia. We also initiated a new campaign to make all of our organic orchards Bio-Dynamic Certified in both Mexico and Colombia. This certification will be the new standard for us in growing and harvesting all of our organics,” says Kraig.
This is the second year that Southern Innovations has been an organic and foodservice driven show, and GreenFruit has plenty to offer on both sides of the coin. In addition to its growth in organics, the grower also has new foodservice offerings to delight operators of all kinds.
“We are excited to showcase our new 2 Ct. box for size 48s avocados. Selling 2 Ct. quantities helps our customers protect against excessive handling and makes it easier and more convenient for a foodservice-type customer,” Kraig tells me. “This 2 Ct. box includes an avocado color chart that helps show the stage of ripeness, as well as the time frame for optimal consumption. GreenFruit also offers customized ordering to allow its customers to have the right amount in the kitchen at the right time.”
While organics and foodservice are both trending towards growth, and GreenFruit is happy to answer that call, what is really important, Kraig says, is that it is a vertically integrated company. To Kraig, this means that it is able to provide an unmatched level of quality along the entire growing and packing process.
“The message that we are really trying to translate at Southern Innovations is that GreenFruit Avocados is vertically integrated from the seed to the shelf, and that we are a third generation Mexican grower and packer with direct programs across the globe year-round,” Kraig tells me. “Being vertically integrated allows us to be in control of harvest, ensure cold management, provide traceability, and pack quality fruit in every single box to ensure optimal quality. This is invaluable to our customers.”
Want to learn more about GreenFruit’s organic and foodservice programs? Ask the team yourself at Southern Innovations in Nashville, Tennessee, September 6th through 8th. I hear you can catch Kraig at booth #418.
