North American fresh produce giant the Oppenheimer Group has expanded its table grape sourcing from Brazil to include Rainforest Alliance-certified fruit during the holiday season.
The company is importing the table grapes through an existing supplier in the South American country – Fazendas Labrunier, which Oppy claims is the biggest Rainforest Alliance-certified table grape producer in the country.
Oppy said the deal also marks the largest Rainforest Alliance table grape programme from Brazil, according to a press release from the group.
Labrunier grows Red Globes, Festivals, Thompsons and more in Brazil’s São Francisco Valley and has marketed its table grapes through Oppenheimer since 2008.
“We have been very impressed by the initial shipments we’ve seen from Labrunier this fall,” said Bill Poulos, Oppy’s director of imported table grapes.
“The fruit has good color and consistent sizing, and delivers the sweetness consumers are looking for.
“The growing season was quite dry, which reduced the volume of the crop but has enhanced the quality and shelf life,” Poulos continued, noting that the Thompsons from Labrunier are particularly exceptional.
“The berries have a very good finish, texture and even color. While Brazil is known for its Festivals, Labrunier’s Thompsons are something special.”
According to Poulos, having Rainforest Alliance certification will create a compelling point of differentiation for Labrunier table grapes.
“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.”
Labrunier focuses on the environmental aspects of Rainforest Alliance certification; setting aside over 2,000 acres of wildlife reserves on its property, and introducing recent disciplines around water use reduction and organic fertilisers to produce table grapes more sustainably.
In addition, the company is involved in a social project ‘Build a School’ where it sponsors the training of teachers in the Petrolina region, thereby benefitting more than 10,000 students in the area where Labrunier grapes are grown.
Labrunier also donates school supplies for the children of its own employees, and employs disabled workers at its operation to do jobs suited to their skills.
