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Dried fruit processor Mariani Packing enters fresh strawberry market
United States
Tuesday 24 July 2007
Mariani Packing Co., a longtime industry-leading dried fruit processor, has entered the fresh strawberry market with Albion-variety strawberries that carry the "Mariani" label.
Mariani Packing, based in Vacaville, CA, has partnered with U.S. Fruit & Veg Inc., based here. U.S. Fruit & Veg Inc. handles the growing and sales. Having the growing and sales operations in-house is a big plus, said Ash Shoukry, president of U.S. Fruit & Veg.
U.S. Fruit & Veg has been selling fresh strawberries for a couple of years, experience that undoubtedly helped when Mr. Shoukry approached Mark Mariani, chief executive officer of the family-run Mariani Packing, with the idea of bringing "Mariani" brand fresh strawberries to market.
Mariani Packing has a history of growing strawberries and other fruit for the fresh market, and the company is taking an active role in the food-safety aspects of bringing its branded fresh strawberries to market.
Although U.S. Fruit & Veg is not producing a large volume of strawberries this year, the company is "getting the ['Mariani'] label out there," said Tom Cserep, senior sales manager for U.S. Fruit & Veg. The "Mariani" brand strawberries are selling across the United States and in Canada and Mexico. Retailers started receiving shipments in early June. The strawberry harvest could run into November.
U.S. Fruit & Veg has its own transportation company -- Global Transportation Logistics -- which provides direct delivery capability. "We deliver as small as a pallet," Mr. Shoukry said.
Mariani Packing, based in Vacaville, CA, has partnered with U.S. Fruit & Veg Inc., based here. U.S. Fruit & Veg Inc. handles the growing and sales. Having the growing and sales operations in-house is a big plus, said Ash Shoukry, president of U.S. Fruit & Veg.
U.S. Fruit & Veg has been selling fresh strawberries for a couple of years, experience that undoubtedly helped when Mr. Shoukry approached Mark Mariani, chief executive officer of the family-run Mariani Packing, with the idea of bringing "Mariani" brand fresh strawberries to market.
Mariani Packing has a history of growing strawberries and other fruit for the fresh market, and the company is taking an active role in the food-safety aspects of bringing its branded fresh strawberries to market.
Although U.S. Fruit & Veg is not producing a large volume of strawberries this year, the company is "getting the ['Mariani'] label out there," said Tom Cserep, senior sales manager for U.S. Fruit & Veg. The "Mariani" brand strawberries are selling across the United States and in Canada and Mexico. Retailers started receiving shipments in early June. The strawberry harvest could run into November.
U.S. Fruit & Veg has its own transportation company -- Global Transportation Logistics -- which provides direct delivery capability. "We deliver as small as a pallet," Mr. Shoukry said.
