South African summer citrus was featured at several product demonstrations in the military commissaries at the MacDill and Patrick Air Force Bases in Florida along with Oceana Naval Air Station and Quantico Marine Corps Base in Virginia.

The demonstrations, which took place in late July, were part of a joint effort between fresh produce supplier Seald Sweet, the Western Cape Citrus Producers Forum and the Military Produce Group to promote the product this summer in more than 80 of the Defense Commissary Agency's stores in the Eastern half of the United States.

The main goals of the events were to educate commissary customers of the versatility, benefits and growing practices of fresh citrus from South Africa; to inform the consumers of the seasonality of summer citrus, which is available when domestic product is not in season; and to raise awareness of the Fisher House Foundation.

During the product demonstrations, samples of fresh South African Navels and Clementines were provided to customers along with product information, recipe cards and promotional giveaway items.

A grower from South Africa attended each event and answered questions on products and growing operations, further explaining how the seasonality of the products complements the availability of domestically grown citrus.

Additionally, materials were displayed promoting Seald Sweet's summer citrus fundraising program, which benefits the Fisher House Foundation.

The Fisher House Foundation is a not-for-profit organization established to meet needs of wounded service members and their families beyond what is normally provided by the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs by donating "comfort homes" built on the grounds of major military and VA medical centers. These homes enable family members to be close to a loved one during the hospitalization for an unexpected illness, disease or injury.

Funds contributed to Fisher House also provide scholarships for military members and dependents. Through special packaging developed for Seald Sweet's summer citrus program, the company contributes proceeds from fresh citrus purchases to Fisher House.

"Our partnerships with our summer citrus growers have enabled us not only to continue to build this growing category but, through the Fisher House program, it has given us the opportunity to give back to those who selflessly defend our country," Kim Flores, Seald Sweet's marketing manager, said in a press release. "We are excited to have this opportunity to think 'out of the box' and connect an import program to benefit an organization that benefits our US veterans and their families."

Gray Vinson, account executive of Seald Sweet's military business, added in the press release, "During the past 10 years of our summer citrus category growth, this is our fourth season promoting the Fisher House program. We look forward to the continued progress of our summer citrus and Fisher House programs."

The South African Summer Citrus and Fisher House promotions will run through September in the eastern U.S. commissaries.