Nogales, Ariz.-based EarthBlend will have bagged mini sweet bell peppers grown in Sinaloa from January to June, said Steve Spence, director of sales for EarthBlend.
Spence said EarthBlend will complement that program with produce from central Mexico June to November.
EarthBlend is entering its fifth season, Spence said.
“We’ve worked diligently to become a reliable trading partner,” he said. “From October to June we have consistent supplies with promotable opportunities for all our customers.”
The company’s lineup consists of squash, cucumbers, Euro cucumbers, green beans, eggplant, green bell peppers, mini sweet bell peppers, colored bell peppers, elongated red bell peppers, hot peppers, roma tomatoes and hard-shell squash.
“Agrocir, our parent company and grower, is now Fair Trade Certified,” he said.
In addition, the company offers organic Italian squash, watermelon yellow squash, green beans and green bell peppers.
In terms of packaging, Spence said EarthBlend offers consumer-friendly packaging, including bagged, flow wrap, overwrap and individually quick frozen.
Higher prices for inputs such as seed, seedling, fertilizers, cartons, freight and more have dogged growers in Mexico. “We need help from our trading partners to raise prices and ensure growers stick around,” he said. “Every part of the growing process has increased in price.”
