Henry meeting elite retailers’ needs for increased California volume
Henry meeting elite retailers’ needs for increased California volume
After spending last year celebrating its centennial, Henry Avocado is in the familiar position of looking forward this year. Chris Varvel said the company will meet the increasing demand for California avocados in 2026, just as it did last year.
Although the crop in 2025 was smaller than the prior year, Henry saw a 38 percent increase in packing volume. Based on customer feedback, Varvel says Henry is the preferred supplier to elite retail and foodservice buyers because of the consistency found in the Bravocado brand.
“They rely on us in growing numbers simply because they receive the avocados they need exactly how and when they need them,” he said.
Varvel is also quick to note the excellence of the California avocado as “the star of the show.” He believes that customer demand is clearly fueled by their mutual desire for this superior product - and the Henry brand assures it.
Part of Henry’s increase came from supplying Sprouts, which was on a 37-store expansion. Danielle Hudgick, senior category manager for avocados, citrus and stone fruit, was responsible for maintaining the consistent supply and quality that the chain is known for, during the growth spurt and beyond.
In assessing Henry’s contribution to meeting her requirements she said. “Henry played a key role in supporting our California program through the addition of Morro Bay fruit - enabling us to meaningfully extend the California season and add approximately six incremental weeks of local availability in our West Coast divisions.”
“Avocados are a high-traffic, high-frequency item for our customers, so reliability and quality are essential,” Ms. Hudgick said. “Henry supports that objective by providing a consistent supply year-round helping us maintain strong, in-stock positions while delivering fruit that meets quality expectations.”
The Henry distribution centers that contributed to Sprouts’ expansion are in Escondido, CA, Phoenix, AZ, as well as the two in San Antonio and Houston, TX. Other Henry centers are strategically located in Milpitas, CA and Charlotte, NC - all to minimize the time from harvest to delivery dock.
As a year-round supplier seeking the finest product availability for its customers, Varvel addressed the increased reliance on the Central Coast avocado product that extends the season. “The Morro Bay Avocados are easily the best-eating avocados on the market from the late Summer into the Fall,” he said.
Henry will again team up with Shanley Farms this season to bring its customer these special, cool-climate, slow-maturing avocados from dedicated groves on the Central Coast,
Also, for 2026, Henry will continue the practice of updating information on its fruit labels. The quality-assurance based program began late last season when a need arose to track individual avocados back to the grove of origin. Ron Vargas, Henry’s operations manager in the Escondido distribution center, met the challenge by quickly activating a printing capability to include the packing date and grower number on the PLU (price look-up sticker). It is now applied to each avocado that Henry processes in its packing facilities. Chris Varvel summarized that Henry’s goal for the new season is to consistently deliver an unsurpassed level of quality every day of operation. “Our promise and plan are to pack the best avocados, from the best growers, for the best customers, by the best personnel in the industry.”
