Sundia unveils ready-to-eat organic and low-calorie fruit cups
Sundia unveils ready-to-eat organic and low-calorie fruit cups
When Sundia Corp. debuted in 2005, industry heavyweights paid little attention. Two years later, the San Francisco Bay area company has one of the faster-growing produce brands in the United States, successfully challenging established names in produce departments across the country and Canada.
At the recent Produce Marketing Association show, Sundia unveiled "True Fruit Lite" and "True Fruit Organic," which are perfectly ripened fruit products in Sundia's proprietary "Grab n' Go" packaging that features a spork for on- the-go consumers.
"We are innovating to expand the ready-to-eat fruit category," Brad Oberwager, chief executive officer of Sundia Corp., said in a press release. "Consumers are demanding healthier products and organics in convenient packaging. These new products enable retailers to serve all consumers, including those who want organic as well as those who monitor their carbohydrate and caloric intake."
"True Fruit Lite" contains up to 60 percent less sugar and calories without sacrificing the flavor of regular "True Fruit" to make it the perfect choice for calorie-, carb- and glucose-conscious consumers. "True Fruit Lite" features three varieties -- Perfect Peach, Ruby Grapefruit, and Mandarin Orange -- and will begin shipping to retailers on Dec. 1.
Mango, ruby grapefruit, pineapple and peach are featured in "True Fruit Organic." Shipments to retailers will begin Jan. 2.
Sundia's "True Fruit Lite" and "True Fruit Organic" will be available in 10.75- ounce cups in the refrigerated sections of produce departments of grocery stores nationwide at suggested retail prices of $1.79 and $1.99, respectively.
In stark contrast to other produce licensing programs, Sundia Corp. has announced that it will pay members of its expanding grower and shipper network to brand their products under the "Sundia" label.
Starting with watermelons and pumpkins in 2008, the company will pay its growers and shippers rebates for loads that are branded "Sundia."
"From the beginning, we made a commitment to innovation and to forging true partnerships with growers and shippers," Mr. Oberwager said in the press release. "Partnerships should be win-win, and this new program is good for Sundia and our partners. With Sundia, growers and shippers that qualify to be our partners become associated with a national brand while enjoying an array of benefits."
The rebate program is among a series of benefits that Sundia has developed for its network of growers. Another is discounts on supplies and services most needed by growers: labels, pallets, stickers, bins and shipping. Free web site development and customer service are also provided for network members.
"Growers and shippers know their business best -- they've been doing it a long time -- so Sundia stays out of this," Mr. Oberwager said. "We focus instead on marketing, promotions and continually coming up with new benefits"
Upon its founding, Sundia set out to build the first watermelon brand and released the first commercially produced watermelon juice line. Employing a brand-building strategy designed to help watermelon growers create a national brand to raise consumer awareness while providing discounts on materials and services they require attracted a number of well-known growers and shippers. Sundia's network now is comprised of Borders Melons, Delta Fresh Produce, Dosse Givens, Freyco Produce, Great Lakes Produce, Growers Marketing, Jackson Farming, Kirschenman Enterprises, Leger & Sons, McClellan Produce, Mouzin Brothers, Palmer Farms, Patagonia Pacific, Sunny Fresh and Timco Worldwide. These companies account for 35 percent of the country's watermelon supply, while Sundia's watermelon juice continues to receive rave reviews in consumer media.
"Innovation and success go hand in hand, so while we were building awareness for the 'Sundia' brand, we were furiously working on new product lines that support our mission to make it easier for consumers to get healthier by consuming more fruits and vegetables," said Mr. Oberwager.
In July, Sundia began shipping "True Fruit," a line of ready-to-eat fruit cups designed to be merchandised in the produce case. Packaged to convey freshness and allow for better visibility of the fruit, the products were said to be an instant hit with produce buyers. "True Fruit" can now be found in thousands of stores nationwide, and it's "flying off the shelves," according to Mr. Oberwager.
At the recent Produce Marketing Association show, Sundia unveiled "True Fruit Lite" and "True Fruit Organic," which are perfectly ripened fruit products in Sundia's proprietary "Grab n' Go" packaging that features a spork for on- the-go consumers.
"We are innovating to expand the ready-to-eat fruit category," Brad Oberwager, chief executive officer of Sundia Corp., said in a press release. "Consumers are demanding healthier products and organics in convenient packaging. These new products enable retailers to serve all consumers, including those who want organic as well as those who monitor their carbohydrate and caloric intake."
"True Fruit Lite" contains up to 60 percent less sugar and calories without sacrificing the flavor of regular "True Fruit" to make it the perfect choice for calorie-, carb- and glucose-conscious consumers. "True Fruit Lite" features three varieties -- Perfect Peach, Ruby Grapefruit, and Mandarin Orange -- and will begin shipping to retailers on Dec. 1.
Mango, ruby grapefruit, pineapple and peach are featured in "True Fruit Organic." Shipments to retailers will begin Jan. 2.
Sundia's "True Fruit Lite" and "True Fruit Organic" will be available in 10.75- ounce cups in the refrigerated sections of produce departments of grocery stores nationwide at suggested retail prices of $1.79 and $1.99, respectively.
In stark contrast to other produce licensing programs, Sundia Corp. has announced that it will pay members of its expanding grower and shipper network to brand their products under the "Sundia" label.
Starting with watermelons and pumpkins in 2008, the company will pay its growers and shippers rebates for loads that are branded "Sundia."
"From the beginning, we made a commitment to innovation and to forging true partnerships with growers and shippers," Mr. Oberwager said in the press release. "Partnerships should be win-win, and this new program is good for Sundia and our partners. With Sundia, growers and shippers that qualify to be our partners become associated with a national brand while enjoying an array of benefits."
The rebate program is among a series of benefits that Sundia has developed for its network of growers. Another is discounts on supplies and services most needed by growers: labels, pallets, stickers, bins and shipping. Free web site development and customer service are also provided for network members.
"Growers and shippers know their business best -- they've been doing it a long time -- so Sundia stays out of this," Mr. Oberwager said. "We focus instead on marketing, promotions and continually coming up with new benefits"
Upon its founding, Sundia set out to build the first watermelon brand and released the first commercially produced watermelon juice line. Employing a brand-building strategy designed to help watermelon growers create a national brand to raise consumer awareness while providing discounts on materials and services they require attracted a number of well-known growers and shippers. Sundia's network now is comprised of Borders Melons, Delta Fresh Produce, Dosse Givens, Freyco Produce, Great Lakes Produce, Growers Marketing, Jackson Farming, Kirschenman Enterprises, Leger & Sons, McClellan Produce, Mouzin Brothers, Palmer Farms, Patagonia Pacific, Sunny Fresh and Timco Worldwide. These companies account for 35 percent of the country's watermelon supply, while Sundia's watermelon juice continues to receive rave reviews in consumer media.
"Innovation and success go hand in hand, so while we were building awareness for the 'Sundia' brand, we were furiously working on new product lines that support our mission to make it easier for consumers to get healthier by consuming more fruits and vegetables," said Mr. Oberwager.
In July, Sundia began shipping "True Fruit," a line of ready-to-eat fruit cups designed to be merchandised in the produce case. Packaged to convey freshness and allow for better visibility of the fruit, the products were said to be an instant hit with produce buyers. "True Fruit" can now be found in thousands of stores nationwide, and it's "flying off the shelves," according to Mr. Oberwager.
