Mary Ostlund, director of marketing for Brooks Tropicals in Homestead, FL, said that the company’s green papayas are the main ingredient in a mainstay dish for Asian cultures, particularly Thai and Vietnamese.

“These are papayas that are and remain immature,” said Ms. Ostlund. “Often referred to as cooking papayas, they are eaten raw, such as sliced thin in papaya salads. This fruit’s popularity is increasing not only with the Southeastern U.S. population but with the popularity of restaurants focusing on these cuisines.”

The company also offers a major Caribbean Red papaya program. These large Maradol-like papayas usually weigh between two and five pounds. The pinkish flesh contains papain, which aids in digestion.

Caribbean Red papaya.Bill Brindle, vice president of sales and marketing for Brooks Tropicals said, “2013 looks like a good year for Caribbean Red papayas. We have new fields coming online, and we expect a 35 percent increase overall in production.”

Among Brooks Tropicals wide range of tropical and specialty produce items is Uniq Fruit. Under the loose and bumpy skin of this large citrus fruit is the refreshing taste of a grapefruit with a hint of tangerine.

Peter Leifermann, director of sales noted, “Our Uniq Fruit season is going great guns. We’ll be doing promotions now through March.”

Brooks Tropicals is a leading grower, packer and marketer of fresh tropical fruits and vegetables. Its flagship products include papayas, avocados — particularly the Florida-grown “SlimCado,” which boasts having less fat and fewer calories than other commercial avocados, starfruit and approximately 20 other tropical specialty products.

“We will definitely be exhibiting at the 2013 Southern Exposure expo,” said Ms. Ostlund. “Besides myself, Peter Leifermann, Sam Skogstad, sales representative and purchased fruit buyer and Jack Barron, sales representative, will be at booth number 307 to greet visitors.”

Brooks Tropicals has been a member of the Southeast Produce Council for many years, and the 2013 Southern Exposure event will be the third time that the company has exhibited.

Ms. Ostlund said that the company is also promoting its passion fruit.

“Passion fruit takes a little more effort than most fruits, but it’s well worth it,” said Ms. Ostlund. “Simply topping yogurt or using it on oatmeal is a treat. Consumers are trying to put more fruits and vegetables on their plates. Passion fruit is a fun fruit to try.”

Brooks Tropicals’ website, www.brookstropicals.com, offers handling, usage nutritional facts and much more about the items that the company offers.

Ms. Ostlund said that those at Brooks Tropicals feel that because it’s a smaller event than major national shows, yet good sized, Southern Exposure is “a great way to touch base with our customers,” she said. “It’s nice for meeting new folks and getting reacquainted with others who we already know.”