OXNARD, CA - Freska has its consumers thinking about more than mangos. The company is diving into the avocado market head first, ready to kick its operations into high gear for the demand surrounding the fast-approaching Super Bowl 50.
“With our strong leadership position in the mango category, we see tremendous synergy opportunities with our year round Hass Avocado program for our customers,” Hector Soltero, Avocado Sales Manager, tells me. “Freska has always been focused on excellent service and product innovation, helping our customers to continue growing their business.”
And the room for growth in the coming weeks is immense, as Hector explains that American consumers are expected to eat 278 million individual avocados leading up to the Big Game - up 13% from last year’s numbers.
“We expect both volume and quality to be in perfect position to take advantage of the amazing avocado demand that leads up to the Super Bowl,” Hector says. Currently Freska is importing Mexican Hass Avocados packed under the Freska Label, providing weekly arrivals to its Forward Distribution Centers in McAllen, Texas and Nogales, Arizona. “Our weekly production is focused on our retail and wholesale customer demands for Hass Avocados.”
And though there is a definite spike in demand in light of the weekend football parties, Hector says that the company is seeing interest in Hass Avocados for more than just the Super Bowl. “We have seen that Hass Avocados are no longer popular just during Super Bowl Sunday parties, now we have data that points towards what has become a month long celebration and excitement for Hass Avocados.”
He added that much of this excitement is driven by the wonderful nutritional messaging, with consumers now placing Hass Avocados at the top of the list for a “Super Food for the Super Bowl.”
As we previously reported, the company recently added to its avocado reach by acquiring Harvest Time Produce in Oceanside, California. Hector shared that Freska will soon begin harvesting and shipping out of that newly-purchased facility. “Expanding our footprint with California Hass Avocado production allows us to provide year-round service for our customers in a variety of packs and grades throughout the year.”
Overall, Freska is excited to be providing fruit perfectly ripe and ready for those hungry football appetites, offering ideal maturity and flavor to this annual American tradition.
