NOGALES, AZ - Delta Fresh continues to support its partners in every way possible, capitalizing on the success of past programs and envisioning the growth of the future. I touched base with Frank Camera, Vice President of Sales, Marketing, and Business Development, to learn more about what the company has in store.
“We have been able to capitalize on many of the programs we started in 2022 and 2023,” Frank explained to me. “We’ve added growth plans to each one, allowing us to work with the ranch to have better production estimates. That way, we can secure better business in advance.”
Better production estimates are only the start, as Delta Fresh is now able to focus on going to market with its Delta Fresh label. That branding is currently on the company’s summer squash, colored bells, cantaloupe, and eggplant. 30 percent of the American slicer cucumbers are also being branded with this label.
In 2024, Frank told me that he expects to see continued growth in all commodities.
“Securing Roma production out of Sonora, Mexico, will help our spring volumes. After that, we’ll be securing additional volume on Romas and American slicer cucumbers out of Baja and Central Mexico,” Frank noted, before adding that expanding into more ranches in Sonora will mean an earlier start to fall start dates in Nogales, Arizona.
It’s obvious that the work Delta Fresh has put into diversifying its offerings is paying off. Traditionally, the company has been big in tomato production, producing Rounds, Romas, and some grape tomatoes. Over the last year, Delta Fresh added table grapes, cantaloupe, colored bells, summer squash, eggplant, and asparagus.
“We will ship out that of Yuma, Arizona,” Frank noted of the asparagus program, before further listing the additions to the product portfolio. “We also have blueberries in the early spring and then our bin seedless watermelon program that runs from mid-April through the first week of June.”
Outside of expanded programs, Delta Fresh offers its retail partners transparency and trust.
“One of the biggest issues I see is the rising costs of production, as every aspect of getting the product to our warehouse is more expensive. I feel that one of the best ways in working through this is transparent and detailed communication. That means with both the ranches and the customers. Passing on accurate information to the customer on what is happening with production to relaying the real demand levels to the farm helps everyone.”
For the latest in what’s happening across the supply-side, stick with us here at ANUK.
