For Third Straight Year, Sunkist Growers Issues Billion-Dollar Member Payments


Thu. March 2nd, 2017 - by Laura Hillen

VALENCIA, CA – With a new year comes new responsibilities, and Sunkist Growers has laid out its direction for the coming year in addition to summarizing its performance over 2016. The company held its 123rd annual meeting on February 22 to discuss.

Russell Hanlin, President & CEO, Sunkist

“We were faced with the challenge of one of the largest Navel orange crops in history, and larger than normal harvests across many of the other varieties we handle,” said Sunkist President and CEO Russell Hanlin. “We responded well, moving an additional 3.5 million cartons into the fresh market generating revenue to support over $1 billion in member payments for the third time in the company’s history.”

Sunkist’s positive results align with the continued focus of the company’s board and leadership to advance the cooperative in order to best serve its membership. According to a press release, contributing factors to the company’s bolstered positive revenue streams included corporate leadership changes, aggressive sales strategies, and the advancement of Sunkist’s for-profit business. These same factors also position the organization well for future growth.

The company also set its 28-member Board of Directors for the upcoming year, re-electing Gerald Denni as the Chairman for Sunkist’s Board of Directors.

Gerald Denni, Chairman of Board of Directors, Sunkist (Photo: The Sun Gazette)  “Working hand in hand with management, the board is pleased with the way we managed a very large crop in 2016, but we are now keenly focused on current industry challenges and building a stronger Sunkist for the future,” said Denni.

Sunkist was founded in 1893, and serves as a cooperative of family farms for over 40 fresh citrus varieties. With thousands of grower members in both California and Arizona, the cooperative values traditional growing practices, the stewardship of a natural resources, and a dedication to innovation that is passed through generations.

As Sunkist continues to focus on its culture of family and collaboration of growers, stick with AndNowUKnow for all the latest innovations and commitments that the company has to offer.

Sunkist