Wholesum Family Farms adds organic mangos to the mix
Wholesum Family Farms adds organic mangos to the mix
NOGALES, AZ — Typically an organic vegetable grower-packer-shipper, including as many as 65 loads of fresh organic mangos in its program gives a nice mix to the portfolio of Wholesum Family Farms, Inc., based here. Among the complementary aspects — mangos are shipped at the same 48- to 55-degree temperature range of Wholesum’s tomatoes and other vegetables.
Steve LeFevre, the sales manager of Wholesum Family Farms, Inc., stands outside his office in Nogales, AZ.
Steve LeFevre, Wholesum’s sales manager, sat in the company’s board room Feb. 19 with The Produce News to outline the mango program. LeFevre has worked for Wholesum for 14 years and has been in the produce business for more than 30. Much of that time he’s worked on the organic side of the industry.
Wholesum’s 2014 mango program will begin in mid-March and run into the first or second week of September. The firm will ship Ataulfo and Tommy Atkins to start the season. “As we progress, you’ll see a lot of Kents and we’ll end with Keitts,” LeFevre noted. The company first entered the mango business eight years ago. Wholesum works with independent Mexican mango growers.
The all-organic program becomes more challenging when conventional mango prices drop. Producing organic fruit is “more expensive,” he said. But the firm perseveres. “Our goal is to grow clean, healthy food. We want people to realize there is a better way” than traditional production methods.
On the vegetable side, Wholesum’s entire vegetable line meets Fair Trade standards. The firm will eventually offer Fair Trade organic mangos.
LeFevre said the Fair Trade program clearly benefits farm workers. Among the benefits is the labor force takes more ownership in their responsibility, which brings the grower tangible benefits beyond esoteric humanitarian motivations.
Wholesum’s Fair Trade vegetable program has been very good for the company’s farm workers and it has also proven to be a strong driver in significantly increasing total sales.
He said Wholesum’s total sales have increased by 18 to 20 percent each year in the 14 years he has been with the firm.
