Grapes and greenhouse major focal points for Oppenheimer
Grapes and greenhouse major focal points for Oppenheimer
ORLANDO, FL -- Relaunching its web site to coincide with the 2008 Produce Marketing Association's Fresh Summit, Canadian greenhouse grower OriginO is focusing on the health benefits provided by organic tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers.
And while the greenhouse operation -- which has an exclusive marketing agreement with The Oppenheimer Group -- touts a two-crop season and looks forward to lively holiday movement of its product, Brazilian grape grower Labrunier, a new marketing partner, adds significantly to Oppenheimer's October-December grape program.
Greeting PMA visitors to the Oppenheimer booth were Fernando Bacic Olic, Labrunier's North American and Asian sales manager, and William Cheuk, OriginO's president.
Mr. Olic, in an interview that included Oppenheimer's grape category director, Josh Leichter, told The Produce News that Labrunier's relationship with Oppenheimer began last year at the PMA convention in Houston. "We were looking for a traditional and trustworthy company to market our grapes in the United States," Mr. Olic said.
"Both companies were seeking a long-term relationship," Mr. Leichter added, noting that he visited Brazil during the summer and found Labrunier's grape program impressive.
Some 2,220 acres are in production, with a year-round growing season. Brazil produces more than 600,000 metric tons of the fruit, and Labrunier is the largest individual grower.
Only a small amount -- 8.5 percent, according to Mr. Olic -- goes to export, with the majority of fruit finding a home with domestic receivers. The men explained that nine varieties are now in commercial production at Labrunier, and Mr. Olic said that new varieties are being introduced "all the time."
One new grape in the wings is a black seedless that is in limited production, Mr. Olic said. And he added that organics, while not available for export currently, are planned for North American distribution in the next three to four years.
The addition of Labrunier enlarges Oppenheimer's grape program to five growing regions, and Mr. Leichter meets with the growers and lines up the supply side. "This new agreement is very important in bridging the gap between our California and Chilean supplies," he said.
Another aspect of Labrunier that is a good fit with Oppenheimer is the Brazilian company's involvement in community. Growing its North American export product in Brazil's northeastern region, Labrunier has established an Adopt-A-School program for families living in poverty.
"We work to improve facilities and support the training of teachers and professors," Mr. Olic said. At present the five-year-old program is aiding 3,500 students and 150 staff.
"It's mostly elementary students, and most of them are sons and daughters of farmworkers," Mr. Olic said. "We hope that some of them will work for Labrunier in the future."
In the Northern Hemisphere, OriginO greenhouse growers jazzed up its www.origino.ca web site, making the site easier to navigate while increasing its visual impact. Additionally, there is more emphasis on the health- promoting aspects of organic greenhouse tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers. Production commences in March, and tomatoes are grown through late December, according to Mr. Cheuk and James Milne, Oppenheimer's greenhouse category manager.
"Promoting the health benefits is very appealing to young families," Mr. Cheuk said, adding that the American Diabetes Association's logo is included on OriginO packaging.
Additionally, regional restaurants are featuring OriginO items on their menus, giving the organics additional consumer exposure. "We receive a good deal of promotion with famous chefs," Mr. Cheuk said, noting that the "OriginO" brand is printed on the menus.
Tomato varieties run the gamut, from grape and cherry to heirloom and beefsteak. "Tomatoes on the vine are our biggest item," Mr. Cheuk said. The two-crop season gives TOVs additional volume, and they are in good supply at the end of the season in December.
Greenhouse organics are seeing "sustained growth," Mr. Milne said. "The primary thrust is consistent and long-term [supplies] of mainstream items, followed by specialty items. It's very positive, and we don't have to force discussions with retailers. It is part of their natural environment to have organics on the shelf."
Upcoming for OriginO are shipments of organic greenhouse peppers grown in Inner Mongolia. The peppers will be marketed in Canada.
And while the greenhouse operation -- which has an exclusive marketing agreement with The Oppenheimer Group -- touts a two-crop season and looks forward to lively holiday movement of its product, Brazilian grape grower Labrunier, a new marketing partner, adds significantly to Oppenheimer's October-December grape program.
Greeting PMA visitors to the Oppenheimer booth were Fernando Bacic Olic, Labrunier's North American and Asian sales manager, and William Cheuk, OriginO's president.
Mr. Olic, in an interview that included Oppenheimer's grape category director, Josh Leichter, told The Produce News that Labrunier's relationship with Oppenheimer began last year at the PMA convention in Houston. "We were looking for a traditional and trustworthy company to market our grapes in the United States," Mr. Olic said.
"Both companies were seeking a long-term relationship," Mr. Leichter added, noting that he visited Brazil during the summer and found Labrunier's grape program impressive.
Some 2,220 acres are in production, with a year-round growing season. Brazil produces more than 600,000 metric tons of the fruit, and Labrunier is the largest individual grower.
Only a small amount -- 8.5 percent, according to Mr. Olic -- goes to export, with the majority of fruit finding a home with domestic receivers. The men explained that nine varieties are now in commercial production at Labrunier, and Mr. Olic said that new varieties are being introduced "all the time."
One new grape in the wings is a black seedless that is in limited production, Mr. Olic said. And he added that organics, while not available for export currently, are planned for North American distribution in the next three to four years.
The addition of Labrunier enlarges Oppenheimer's grape program to five growing regions, and Mr. Leichter meets with the growers and lines up the supply side. "This new agreement is very important in bridging the gap between our California and Chilean supplies," he said.
Another aspect of Labrunier that is a good fit with Oppenheimer is the Brazilian company's involvement in community. Growing its North American export product in Brazil's northeastern region, Labrunier has established an Adopt-A-School program for families living in poverty.
"We work to improve facilities and support the training of teachers and professors," Mr. Olic said. At present the five-year-old program is aiding 3,500 students and 150 staff.
"It's mostly elementary students, and most of them are sons and daughters of farmworkers," Mr. Olic said. "We hope that some of them will work for Labrunier in the future."
In the Northern Hemisphere, OriginO greenhouse growers jazzed up its www.origino.ca web site, making the site easier to navigate while increasing its visual impact. Additionally, there is more emphasis on the health- promoting aspects of organic greenhouse tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers. Production commences in March, and tomatoes are grown through late December, according to Mr. Cheuk and James Milne, Oppenheimer's greenhouse category manager.
"Promoting the health benefits is very appealing to young families," Mr. Cheuk said, adding that the American Diabetes Association's logo is included on OriginO packaging.
Additionally, regional restaurants are featuring OriginO items on their menus, giving the organics additional consumer exposure. "We receive a good deal of promotion with famous chefs," Mr. Cheuk said, noting that the "OriginO" brand is printed on the menus.
Tomato varieties run the gamut, from grape and cherry to heirloom and beefsteak. "Tomatoes on the vine are our biggest item," Mr. Cheuk said. The two-crop season gives TOVs additional volume, and they are in good supply at the end of the season in December.
Greenhouse organics are seeing "sustained growth," Mr. Milne said. "The primary thrust is consistent and long-term [supplies] of mainstream items, followed by specialty items. It's very positive, and we don't have to force discussions with retailers. It is part of their natural environment to have organics on the shelf."
Upcoming for OriginO are shipments of organic greenhouse peppers grown in Inner Mongolia. The peppers will be marketed in Canada.
