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P r o d u ce S h o w D a i l y 1 9 M o n d a y, J u n e 2 0 , 2 0 1 6 WESTERN FRESH MARKETING: FIGS AND KIWIS YEAR-ROUND Western Fresh Marketing began with a fax machine, a couple of phone lines and the will and determination of George Kragie to create a business. Kragie was involved with produce for most of his adult life, working primarily for other people. He ultimately couldn't resist the urge to work for himself, and out of this desire, Western Fresh Marketing was born in 1994. The business began small, with just Kragie and his son Chris running the business. During Kragie's many years in the industry, he had developed a reputa- tion as an honest man with impeccable integrity. His easygoing manner was cou- pled with a Midwest work ethic. Through his hard work and long days spent run- ning Western Fresh, the cadre of loyal customers continued to grow. The com- pany also continues to grow, and now employs eight full-time staff along with three part-timers. It has offices in Madera, California; Menominee, Michigan; and Santiago, Chile. The early years were comprised mainly of fig and kiwi sales. Kragie saw a need for chain stores – many of whom were reluctant to be part of what was then a sporadic supply chain – to have a con- sistent supply of figs. He managed to recruit growers from Sacramento to Coachella and created a fig market that runs from May through December. Three years ago when Chilean figs were allowed into the country, Western Fresh was the first company to import them, creating a nearly year-round supply of fresh figs. Kragie's son, Chris, manages the kiwi sales at Western Fresh. Through Chris' determined efforts, the company now has its own kiwis 365 days a year. There was a time when California kiwi fruit was stored to supply the U.S. market for nearly the entire year. Imported kiwis ended that need, so along- side the California kiwi, Western Fresh imports from Chile and Italy. Chilean kiwis go to the East and West Coasts, while the Italian kiwis go primarily to the East Coast. This way, customers on either coast can have kiwi without the addition- al freight cost associated with moving product across the country. Western Fresh is one of the largest year-round fig and kiwi shippers in the country. Along with these two items, the company also sells a variety of other commodities. Last year, Western Fresh Marketing was the largest U.S. importer of Chilean Asian pears. The company also has a year-round Hawaiian papaya program which is run by George's wife Susan, who lived in Hawaii for seven years. Additionally, Western Fresh sells persimmons, quince, fresh olives, fresh ginger, pomegranates and specialty citrus. The sales staff also welcomes the challenge to find any other obscure com- modity a buyer might need. Visit Western Fresh at booth #1355. For more information, visit www.westernfresh marketing.com or call 888.820.2011. SUN PACIFIC EXPANDS CUTIES SUPPLY To meet high consumer demand for Sun Pacific's sweet-as-candy seedless man- darins, retailers will see millions more cases of Cuties ® shipping nationwide this season. "We are dedicated to bringing our retailers the supply they desire to meet consumer demand for Cuties, while maintaining our exceptional quality stan- dards as well," said Bob DiPiazza, President of Sun Pacific. The increased amount of Cuties available this season is due to multiple factors. Many of Sun Pacific's mandarin groves, as well as the groves of some of its supporting growers, are maturing and pro- ducing more fruit. It has also added more grower partners to the Sun Pacific family, which produce mandarins at a level that meets or exceeds Cuties high-quality stan- dards for juicy, sweet mandarins. "Cuties are America's No. 1 favorite fruit brand, and continue to hold con- sumers' perception of the highest quality mandarins among all brands," said Victoria Nuevo-Celeste, Vice President of Marketing at Sun Pacific. "That's why Cuties continues to be the fastest selling mandarin in the United States." Founded in 1969, Sun Pacific is a leading grower, packer and shipper of fruit with more than 70 million boxes of fresh fruit sold each year. Sun Pacific is the owner of America's most preferred brand of mandarins, Cuties. Headquartered in Pasadena, California, Sun Pacific is the largest kiwi fruit and navel orange grow- er/shipper in North America, the second largest producer of tomatoes in California and renowned for its exceptional quality Air Chief label table grapes. For more information, go to www.sun pacific.com.