OXNARD, CA - When Freska Produce International began dealing in dried mangos five years ago, the supplier’s sights were set on supporting its growers’ welfare, creating value for its customers, and sustainably fulfilling its vision for the future. By using 100 percent of its growers’ fruit, Freska is accomplishing all of these goals through the dried program, and Jesus “Chuy” Loza and Gary Clevenger gave me the inside scoop.
“Mangos are becoming a more mainstream fruit item. While they were previously found in the back of the baskets, they are now becoming a produce aisle star,” Chuy, Managing Member, told me. “Mangos are also more readily available these days. Year-round programs have grown alongside offshore operations in the wintertime and then Mexico in the summertime.”
Freska’s strategically implemented dried mango program relies on packing houses in a number of locations across the country. Fresh mango is dried out at these facilities to create the value-added product, at different locations depending on the time of year.
“Because our packers are in direct contact with the growers, we maintain close relationships with them,” Gary, Managing Member, outlined. “Between the many small mom-and-pop growers and larger commercial growers in the region, our relationship with the packers is an essential link in our supply chain. They secure the fruit while we work on the sales and marketing side of things.”
With so many different avenues for using fresh mango—such as freezing, dicing, and puréeing—many operators are only left with the seed and skin as leftover waste. That being said, the mango category serves as a boon for retailers looking to improve their value proposition from a sustainability standpoint.
Let’s not forget that the start of a new year brings with it ample opportunity to place fresh produce in the spotlight. Consumers are turning toward convenience increasingly so these days, and Freska’s dried mangos hit that nail on the head. And, as we know, health is the gold standard of many New Year’s resolutions, so place dried mangos front and center to push impulse buys as we prepare to kick off 2023.
Plus, you may want to keep this produce aisle secret weapon top of mind as you begin planning out your department strategies for the year. Stay in touch with your Freska rep to optimize the mango category no matter the season.
