<p>By ANUK Staff<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><strong>Vancouver, B.C.</strong><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">The Oppenheimer Group is delivering grapes through the end of the year from Brazil’s largest Rain Forest Alliance certified grape producer. Fazendas Labrunier grows Red Globes, Festivals, Thompsons and more in Brazil’s São Francisco Valley. Labrunier has marketed through Oppenheimer since 2008. The difference this season is the much anticipated fully Rainforest Alliance certified crop. Rainforest Alliance certification is a point of differentiation for Labrunier grapes, according to a press release.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">“We have been very impressed by the initial shipments we’ve seen from Labrunier this fall,” said Bill Poulos, Oppy’s Director of Import Grapes. “The fruit has good color and consistent sizing, and delivers the sweetness consumers are looking for."<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> <img src="https://cdn.andnowuknow.com/legacyWriterImages/Fernando Bacic Olic with Bill Poulos.JPG_.JPG" alt="Images 12.3.12" />(Fernando Bacic Olic with Bill Poulos)<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">“The growing season was quite dry, which reduced the volume of the crop but has enhanced the quality and shelf life,” Mr. Poulos continued. “The berries have a very good finish, texture and even color. While Brazil is known for its Festivals, Labrunier Thompsons are something special.”<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"> “The quality of this fruit, combined with the Rainforest Alliance seal, makes it a very appealing promotional item for the holidays,” he said. “The Rainforest Alliance certification may be particularly resonant with shoppers who are thinking a little more about taking care of the world around them during this reflective time of year.”<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Fernando Olic, Sales Executive for Labrunier, relocates to Newark, Delaware, each season to work with the Oppy sales and quality assurance teams. Mr. Olic notes that Rainforest Alliance underpins activities that Labrunier has underway in areas where it produces grapes, making a positive difference. Additionally, Labrunier donates school supplies for the children of its own employees while also employing disabled workers in its operation to do jobs suited to their skills.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">“We are involved in a comprehensive social project called ‘Build a School,’ implemented in conjunction with the Brazilian NGO IQE (Teaching Quality Institute). Labrunier sponsors the training of teachers on the Petrolina region,” Mr. Olic, stated, "The program benefits more than 10,000 students in the area where Labrunier grapes are grown.”<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">The company is testing more than 80 new grape varieties on its farms, making it one of the largest private new grape variety projects in the world, Mr. Olic notes. The company is developing the initiative in partnership with breeders from the U.S., Europe, Israel, South Africa and Brazil with grapes hitting the market soon.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href=" https://oppy.com/our-produce/grapes" target="_new"> Oppenheimer Group </a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
