Sun Pacific, the growers of “Cuties” premium Mandarins and “Mighties” kiwifruit, has introduced a new heirloom Navel orange that will be marketed under the “Vintage Sweets” label.  

Harvested from Sun Pacific’s old line Navel orange groves, the Brix level of “Vintage Sweets” oranges is individually tested for high sugar content.  

“Consumers are looking for produce that provides superior quality and flavor for an exceptional eating experience – and they are willing to pay a premium price for it,” Bob DiPiazza, president of Sun Pacific, based in Pasadena, CA, said in a press release. “That is exactly what Vintage Sweets provide. Our selection process for these Navel oranges combines sensory aspects like touching, feeling and smelling the fruit, with the science of testing of sugar levels to ensure just the right characteristics for that juicy, sweet perfection.”

“Vintage Sweets” are available in bulk, as well as three-pound Giro bags and six-count shrink wrapped trays.

More Cuties

To meet high consumer demand for Sun Pacific’s seedless Mandarins, retailers will see millions more cases of “Cuties” shipping nationwide this season.

“We are dedicated to bringing our retailers the supply they desire to meet consumer demand for ‘Cuties,’ while maintaining our exceptional quality standards as well,” DiPiazza, said in the press release.

The increased volume of Cuties available this season is due a variety of factors. Many of Sun Pacific’s Mandarin groves, as well as the groves of some of their supporting growers, are maturing and producing more fruit. They have also added more grower partners to the Sun Pacific family, who produce Mandarins at a level that meets or exceeds the high-quality standards for juicy, sweet mandarins demanded by “Cuties.”  

“Cuties is America’s No. 1 favorite fruit brand and continues to hold consumers’ perception of the highest quality mandarins among all brands,” Victoria Nuevo-Celeste, vice president of marketing at Sun Pacific, added in the press release. “That’s why Cuties continues to be the fastest-selling mandarin in the US.”

“Mighties” drives category growth

Since “Mighties” kiwis were introduced to retailers in fall of 2014, they have contributed significantly to helping increase kiwi’s overall category growth.

Last year the brand comprised 40 percent of all U.S. kiwi sales and contributed to the 13.4 percent growth of overall kiwi sales in the United States.

Sun Pacific’s proprietary ripening process ensures that the fruit arrives at grocery stores ripe and ready, and takes the guesswork out of having to gauge when the fruit is ready to eat. Helping consumers understand how to eat the fruit and providing it at the perfect ripeness is part of Sun Pacific’s commitment to educating consumers so that even more people will enjoy this super nutritious fruit.  

“Mighties provide a superior and consistent experience,” Nuevo-Celeste added in the press release. “When a consumer buys ‘Mighties,’ they know they are getting fruit that is ready to simply cut, scoop out with a spoon, and eat. It’s simple, it tastes great and it’s packed with nutrients, making ‘Mighties’ mighty appealing to consumers.”

“Mighties” are available in one-, two-, three- and four-pound clamshell packages, and are verified non-GMO by The Non-GMO Project, an increasingly sought-after trait for consumers.