GREENCASTLE, PA - The spring season has arrived, which means we are due for an in-depth onion outlook courtesy of Keystone Fruit Marketing. As the Progressive Produce division readies to arm buyers for a successful merchandising window, Onion Commodity Manager Matthew Gideon took a moment to talk shop with Andrea Scroggs, Sales and Marketing Manager.
“The season has started off with a bang! Demand has been very strong right out of the gate, and we hope to keep that momentum going through the season,” said Gideon. “Everyone in the region experienced some challenging weather during the growing period, but we are pleased with the quality so far! We are working hard to have a successful Vidalia® campaign for both our customers and our grower partners.”
One of the key grower partners in Keystone’s network is the Cowart family, which has a rich history with the brand, cultivated over decades of partnership.
“The Cowart family is known in farming circles for doing things the right way by setting the toughest standards in the business and doing whatever it takes to exceed them, day in and day out,” Gideon explained. “This allows us to supply our customers with the type of quality that they have grown to expect from Keystone.”
Noting how onions are a staple in his own kitchen, Gideon also shares that one of the biggest challenges of this season will be keeping up with strong market demand.
“We have a loyal year-round customer base, from our Mexican Mayans to the Sugar Sweet Vidalias, to our Peruvian Mayan Sweets, so the biggest challenge will be to make sure our customers continue to get the quality and value they demand from us!” he shares. “We have a team dedicated to ensuring that happens. We spend countless hours planning out the season from both a supply standpoint and an ad standpoint. We work diligently to make sure our customers and grower partners are satisfied with the outcome. Each season presents its own unique challenges, and this season will present plenty, but the team at Keystone is relentless in meeting the needs of our customers.”
With strong demand and top-tier versatility creating endless opportunities for this category, Keystone is ready to help its partners make sizable gains this season. Read more of the recent interview here.
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