The Mexican component of The Oppenheimer Group’s year-round grape program will see an early start again this year, with red seedless loading out of Nogales the third week of May, according to Marc Serpa, director of domestic grapes.

Serpa told The Produce News in late March that fruit was coming out of Chile at that time, and he said the transition from Chile to Mexico is expected to proceed smoothly, and the Mexican grape volume will be 15 to 20 percent higher this season than last. He also confirmed that the Oppy grape program will be part of the Sesame Workshop/PMA “eat brighter!” initiative.

Being red is great when you’re a seedless grape in an Elmo ‘eat brighter!’ bag. (Photo courtesy of Oppy)“We’ve got an early start again, and our Flames will be available for Memorial Day ads,” Serpa said. Green Perlette seedless will be available in early June, he added.

“Pre-harvest is very good,” he said, noting that Oppy markets for three long-term growers out of Mexico. In addition to the seedless reds and greens now being grown, more varieties are coming into production, Serpa said.

The Visalia, CA-based grape director explained that a high percentage of Oppy’s grapes are marketed as part of the Sesame Street “eat brighter!” program and are being packaged in high-graphic stand-up pouches with handles. Several of the beloved Muppets, including Oscar, Elmo and Cookie Monster, are featured on the bags.

“There’s been such an enthusiastic response from consumers on our other items in the ‘eat brighter!’ program,” Serpa said. He noted that Oppy has packaged bell peppers, citrus and berries for the campaign aimed at increasing fresh fruit and vegetable consumption in this country and Canada.

Launched a year ago, the Sesame Workshop/PMA initiative has reached tens of thousands of consumers through dozens of retail companies across the United States and Canada.

Serpa said Oppy will extend the popular packaging to additional commodities during the remaining 18 months of the ‘eat brighter!’ timeline.