Castagnetto: Bell peppers help consumers stretch food dollars
Castagnetto: Bell peppers help consumers stretch food dollars
Consumers are always looking for ways to stretch their food dollars. “A byproduct of this has been an increased interest in some of the items that fall within the dry vegetable category, such as Bell peppers,” said Michael Castagnetto, category general manager at Robinson Fresh.
Robinson Fresh operates under the corporate umbrella of C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc., headquartered in Eden Prairie, MN. Robinson Fresh works with its growers to provide global customers with a vast array of conventional and organic fresh fruits and vegetables.
“Georgia is Robinson Fresh’s primary Bell pepper growing region during the summer months,” said Castagnetto. “However, Robinson Fresh also distributes and markets regional-specific product to their local markets throughout North America. By utilizing C.H. Robinson and its network of strategically located service centers, Robinson Fresh is able to provide retail customers with quality, fresh and in-season local products.”
During the early summer months, Robinson Fresh distributes and markets Bell peppers under the “Rosemont Farms” brand. Robinson Fresh focuses on marketing “Rosemont Farms” Bell peppers to national retail customers, wholesale customers that support national retail business, as well as foodservice customers.
“In addition, Rosemont Farms is always experimenting with new and improved varieties that lend themselves to the unique Southeast growing conditions,” Castagnetto stated. “There are new varieties of peppers and other vegetables being developed to achieve certain taste profiles as well as become more tolerant of growing conditions, pests and disease.”
Bell peppers are also marketed under the “Green Giant Fresh” brand.
On the marketing side, the company supports local awareness campaigns. “For example, depending on the retail customer’s desires, some products are packed and distributed with ‘Georgia Grown’ or ‘Jersey Fresh’ labels that promote the local agribusiness community and increase regional customer’s awareness of the products origin,” Castagnetto commented.
