KINGSVILLE, ON - During the Spring and Summer months, consumers look to bright, refreshing fruit as one of their go-to produce purchases for everything from dessert to snacking. At the top of that list, is berries…and in this case, strawberries.
Joe Spano, VP of Sales and Marketing for Mucci Farms, joined me to discuss the company's new Smuccies strawberry program and what this soft roll-out has in store.
“Smuccies are the newest launch in our assortment of products for 2015… we experimented last fall with an initial planting and have gone into commercial distribution this spring with a handful of our closest retail partners,” Joe tells me.
Volume for Mucci’s strawberry program is still considerably low as the company moves into this next phase of growth, with approximately 600-700 retail ready case packs available per week.
“But, quality has been beyond expectations,” he notes. “The Smuccies program is still very new to us….we believe we can stay in full production until late July, then back in for October harvest to support our retail partners in their most unpredictable time of the year.”
When I ask Joe what went into building this program, he laughs, “A leap of faith. It has been topic of discussion for many years and the timing just seemed right.”
This program expansion was a full collaboration with growers, marketers and retailers to help support a very delicate item. The right varieties, the right environment and the right team will help make Smuccies a successful program, Joe hopes.
In reference to the entire Mucci portfolio, Joe tells me that he believes Mucci offers one of the most well rounded assortment of products in the Industry.
“From our claim to fame Beefsteak tomatoes and wonderful Bell peppers… Mucci Farms has not gone more than a year without introducing a new item, a new package, and or a new marketing strategy to our retail partners and the trade,” Joe tells me. “It is our expectation that if this first round of commercial introduction of Canadian greenhouse strawberries is successful…we will have two more very flavorful fruits ready to launch next. Our best work is yet to come.”
Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow as we follow the evolving Mucci Farms program.
