NOGALES, AZ - Merely weeks away, industry members are preparing to swarm Monterey, California, for the 2023 Organic Produce Summit (OPS). Among the companies attending is Divine Flavor, an event sponsor, which will be showing off its lineup of quality organic products. I sat down with Michael DuPuis, Quality Assurance and Public Relations Manager, to get a closer look at the showcase.
“I think this will be a record-breaking year for attendees and retailers. So, for us to be there with our category managers all across the board, it’s a great opportunity to meet with our customers,” says Michael enthusiastically. “I say this all the time, but it’s always better to have those face-to-face meetings. For us to be a part of this event is a win.”
Divine Flavor will use its booth to showcase all of its organic commodities, including organic grape tomatoes, European cucumbers, bell peppers, and table grapes.
During this time of year, the supplier switches many of its organic programs to Central and Baja, Mexico. Divine Flavor’s core organic veg program generally runs from October through June in northern and western Mexico, but over the years, the company has been expanding its organic window during the summer months to complement a year-long program better.
Generally, by the time OPS hits, Divine Flavor’s grape program is towards the tail end of the season, but due to delays caused by weather this year, the grower-distributor will still be in production in Mexico, which will go until mid-July, with inventory expected to last until the end of July.
So, what differentiates Divine Flavor’s lineup of organics from others on the market? Michael believes that it is not only the company’s primary focus on quality but its attention to detail when it comes to growing and its commitment to not cutting corners.
“Growing organics means investing in training and analyzing every single thing that you do. There are many restrictions when it comes to organic, making conventional farming an easier approach,” explains Michael. “For us, trying to be as organic as possible, growing a majority of our organic products on a year-round basis, takes a lot of work, investment, and resources to be successful at both the compliance side and the shipping and selling side. You’ll be exposed to more risks, but that’s not a problem for us to ensure everything is done correctly.”
Divine Flavor has honed in on one of those details: its soil. From the microorganisms to the carbon levels and every small part of its soil composition in between, the grower’s team has focused on creating a healthy basis for its products to grow in, which, as Michael shares, is another differentiating factor for the brand.
“Many farms don’t take the time to understand what’s happening in their soils. And if you can’t do that, you’re not identifying the strengths and weaknesses of your crops. That’s where many growers who want to switch from conventional to organic fail,” he details. “They’re not willing to invest or speak to experts. It costs a lot, but you’ll find that ROI when you put your money where your mouth is.”
If you want to hear more from Michael and the Divine Flavor team, stop by booth #604 on the OPS show floor. You won’t regret it.
