POMPANO BEACH, FL - Will this year’s Thanksgiving holiday see a new, unique green bean at the table? If it's up to Southern Specialties, it certainly will. Ahead of the upcoming festivities, I spoke with the company’s Vice President of Business Development, Charlie Eagle, about what retailers can expect from the Southern Selects French bean program.
“We’re seeing a big spike in demand for the upcoming holiday season,” Charlie tells me. “Last week, truck drivers in Guatemala went on strike to protest new government regulations, but now the strike has ended and Southern Specialties is receiving new arrivals of fresh product for the Thanksgiving pull."
Charlie says that Southern Specialties’ French beans operations were passed by several Guatemalan storms over the past few weeks, missing any damage to crops and maintaining excellent quality overall. The company has responded to the growing demand for its French beans by increasing planting and volume over last year, as well as establishing a year-round program that is all hand-selected, trimmed, and packaged at the source.
As for retail support as we head into one of the biggest grocery holidays of the year, Southern Specialties is well-prepared to take customers requests.
“We have a range of pack sizes for our value-added products that are ideal for every type of consumer,” Charlie explains. “Southern Specialties has experience developing specific presentations with our retail partners, as well as creating private label programs.”
With over 25 years’ experience growing and importing some of the finest French beans in the marketplace, Charlie notes to me that those from Southern Selects have climbed up to be one of the top selling brands.
For more information on each and every item in the Southern Selects line, visit SouthernSpecialties.com, and stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for more holiday produce updates as Thanksgiving approaches.
