“We are finishing up our second year of working with several California growers,” said Michael DuPuis, head of public relations and quality assurance at Divine Flavor. “We have partnered with three growers to establish a California footprint. We like what they do and how they operate. This allows us to service our major customers on a continuing basis.”

DuPuis said the California production, which is still in its early stages of growth, helps fill the gap between Mexico’s late spring deal and the start of Divine Flavor’s Peruvian grape supplies, which are expected to arrive to U.S. customers in the late October/early November time frame. Over time, the California volume will increase, but the distributor takes a measured approach to growth.

Chief Marketing Officer Alan Aguirre Camou explained that filling in supply gaps on grapes to become as close to a year-round shipper on one of its core commodities is the company’s ultimate goal. It is the same strategy it is employing with its vegetable offerings, with tomatoes, Bell peppers and cucumbers headlining the vegetable line. Aguirre noted that over the past couple of years, the company’s footprint has greatly increased in Central Mexico, which has added production at critical times of the year. It now has robust programs in a handful of Mexico’s growing regions, which include Baja California, Sinaloa, Sonora and Jalisco as well as the newer central Mexico region.

Aguirre said the goal is to have both organic and conventional options in all the commodities on a year-round basis. That goal is not yet reached on all SKUs within each category but progress is being made in each district and each commodity.

The tomato category, which has been anchored by both organic and conventional production of grape tomatoes, featuring DF’s Magnifico brand, now includes robust programs of Roma and beefsteak tomatoes as well as a growing cherry tomato category. The company is also working on building its tomatoes-on-the-vine production.

Organic and conventional English, Persian and slicer cucumbers make up the cucumber category, with new cocktail cucumber varieties being trialed. The Bell pepper sales sheet includes both organic and conventional peppers in all four colors as well as mini peppers. Year-round availability has been reached.

DuPuis and Aguirre spoke to The Produce News shortly after its latest Grower Summit concluded in Queretaro, Mexico. The company has been holding these summits for a handful of years and now convent two meetings a year, aligning them with specific commodities. “We have been holding them for seven years under the direction of Michael and his team,” said Aguirre.

DuPuis said it is excellent opportunity to bring Divine Flavor’s community of growers together to honor their professionalism and to learn together about new techniques and programs. The most recent event brought about 150 people together, including growers from many different regions in Peru, Mexico and the United States. There were also retail partners to give their perspective and help Divine Flavor and its growers understand the needs from a consumer viewpoint. DuPuis said the educational effort also included updated food-safety information.

Aguirre noted that these grower events present Divine Flavor with the ability to celebrate its grower partners and strengthen the company’s bond with the producers. The exchange of ideas is helping the company reach its goal of growing its supply chains and increasing the breath and width of its commodity portfolio. DuPuis added that a full contingent of Divine Flavor representatives will be at the IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show, including some of its key growers.