Savvy companies, especially those that have built strong brand names over the years, such as Duda Farm Fresh Foods’ “Dandy” brand vegetables, and “Citrines” brand citrus, are among the most highly recognized and sought-after brands in the market today.

The Oviedo, FL-based company is known for staying ahead of trends and providing new and exciting products that quickly draw consumer attention. And it offers its products in attractive high-graphic packs in user-friendly sizes.

For nearly half a century Duda Farm Fresh Foods has been growing, shipping and marketing fresh citrus products, cultivating 16,500 acres of citrus acreage domestically and collaborating with international partners to provide a year-round supply of fresh citrus.

Duda Farm Fresh Foods’ ‘Citrines’ Grab N’ Go packs.Paul Huckabay, western citrus sales manager for Duda Farm Fresh Foods, said the company produces citrus throughout the central and southern San Joaquin Valley of California.

“We produce Mandarins, Navel oranges, Meyer lemons, lemons and Minneolas in California,” said Huckabay. “Our California season starts in mid to late October, and it runs through May and into the early part of June.”

He added that the company ships its California-grown citrus all over the United States as well as to Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Australia and parts of Central America and South America.

California citrus production, just like the majority of other fresh produce crops, continue to face challenges related to weather conditions.

“The drought in the West has been posing the biggest challenges,” noted Huckabay. “Hot weather and lack of irrigation water has had some impact on fruit sizing. We expect to see this continue through the end of the calendar year before we see larger sizing.”

Overall however, he pointed out that Duda Farm Fresh Foods is expecting a fairly normal crop of oranges and lemons out of California this season. It expects increased volumes of Mandarins and Meyer lemons.

“Fresh fruits and vegetables are the number one snack eaten by consumers,” explained Huckabay. “As the snacking trend shows continuous growth, retailers have an opportunity to drive incremental sales with Grab N’ Go snack size packs of ‘Citrines’ clementines.

“The easy-peel Mandarins are a convenient, ready-to-eat option with impulse purchase appeal to a wide range of demographics,” he added.

Duda Farm Fresh Foods also expects a very good quality California crop this season.

“The crop looks very good,” said Huckabay. “The fruit has exceptional flavor that will provide consumers with a great eating experience.”