Jim Mulcahy, sales manager for New World Farming Trade, headquartered in New York, NY, said that the company is excited about the launch of its trademark “Muscatel from Grandma” grape packaging.

“The pink seedless Muscatel grape is a specialty product which is exotic in nature and has a brief window from March to approximately the first week of May,” explained Mulcahy.

“It isn’t a typical year-round on the shelf type of grape, and so we developed a highly distinctive packaging bag for instant customer recognition,” he added.

New World Farming Trade’s new launch of its trademark ‘Muscatel from Grandma’ grape packaging. (Photo courtesy of New World Farming Trade)Mulcahy said that most would agree that a “small ocean” of decorative bags containing grapes piled together is a common sight in retail produce departments.

“Even I have to pull bags out to actually see the variety within. It’s confusing,” said Mulcahy. “Our new ‘Muscatel from Grandma’ branded bag is immediately recognizable.”

The bag also offers a brief historical product background. Mulcahy said that once consumers taste this grape they will always come back looking for more of it.

“The grape has a sweet perfumed taste and a subtle aroma,” he explained. “The complexion consists of light whitish green to golden and on into a pink and light red blush. It is not engineered or developed by a botanist; this superb blending happened in nature itself.”

The new bag is well-suited to the history of the Chilean-produced Muscatel grape. Mulcahy said that grandmothers would harvest these grapes from small sections of vines with the help of family members, including children.

“Early on there were no designated vineyards, only small sections of vines scattered throughout Northern Central Chile,” he said. “We wanted to make it easy for customers to be able to quickly find their favorite grape with our highly recognizable ‘Muscatel from Grandma’ bag.”

New World Farming Trade is a member of the Southeast Produce Council, but Mulcahy regrets that the company will not be exhibiting this year.

“This is unfortunate, and due only to the lack of exhibitor space,” he said. “We’re on the waiting list and looking forward to participating as exhibitors in the future.”

The “Muscatel From Grandma” grape will be available at a wide range of retailers across the country, as well as through major distributors including Baldor Specialty Foods in the Bronx, NY, R.L.B Food Distributor in West Caldwell, NJ, Sid Wainer in New Bedford, MA, Castellini Co. in Highland Heights, KY, J.P. Jarjura & Sons Co. in Waterbury, CT, and Serra Bros. Produce in Detroit, MI.

Retailers lined up to carry the grape include Agatha & Valentina in Manhattan, NY, Caputo`s Markets in Chicago, IL, and several locations of Uncle Giuseppe’s Marketplace on Long Island, NY.

RBest Produce Inc., headquartered in Port Washington, NY, is servicing Uncle Giuseppe’s.