A taste for the tropics in the big city

Tropicals are riding a huge wave of demand in New York, and those in its produce industry continue to build their programs and meet customer needs.

“We’ve seen a big increase in tropicals,” says Joel Fierman, president of Joseph Fierman & Son Inc., who also commented in the enduring popularity of avocados.

Charlie J. DiMaggio, president of Fres Co LLC, also notes the steady increase in tropical fruit consumption and is happy to oblige.

“As new immigrants enter the tri-state area, a natural yet logical move is to study their culture and strive to provide fresh products that are both familiar and common to their homeland,” he says.

As a result, Fres Co’s mango, pineapple, and plantain programs have grown year after year, solidifying relationships with both shippers and customers.

Another part of expansion revolves around the top consumed fruit in the world: bananas.

After what he terms “significant time and research” Fres Co is setting up a joint venture to grow and pack bananas under a new label, Belleza Premium Banana.

“The reception we’ve received has been overwhelming,” says DiMaggio.

This is an excerpt from the most recent Produce Blueprints quarterly journal. Click here to read the full article.