Peru’s Agricola Andrea S.A.C. wins IFG’s Inaugural D.W. Cain Award
Bakersfield, Calif.-based International Fruit Genetics LLC has selected Agricola Andrea S.A.C. in Peru as the winner for its inaugural D.W. Cain Award competition, with Exportadora Rio Blanco Spa in Chile selected as the runner-up.
In recognition of the legacy of Dr. David Cain, IFG created the D.W. Cain Award to honor his years of dedication and revolutionary breeding developments that have changed the industry. This year will be the first award to be granted and will be subsequently awarded on an annual basis with each year having a different theme and criteria for recognition.
The 2021 D.W. Cain Award focused on licensees who have shown exemplary work in supporting and promoting IFG’s vision in the grape industry. The winner was selected based on the best adoption and promotion of our varietal logos and trademarks. Consideration was also given for compelling retail displays, promotion of IFG which engages and captivates consumers and supporting IFG through website, social media, events, artwork, and videos.
IFG is proud to award our first annual D.W. Cain Award to our licensee Agricola Andrea S.A.C. from Peru for their impressive quality, as well as their support and promotion of IFG’s vision for the grape industry. In particular, their adoption and promotion of our varietal logos and trademarks is worthy of acknowledgment and praise.
“Even while handling a massive scale of fruit, they have maintained an attention to quality and reputation that deserves recognition,” said IFG CEO Andy Higgins. “Agricola Andrea has been a true partner to IFG in defending the use of our trademarks in the retail space and has recently adopted the use of our logos on packaging. They have quite literally put millions of IFG branded packages into the marketplace, with more to come. Their commitment to our branding and quality standards goes above and beyond our expectations, and we are extremely excited to see what they do in the future.”
Agricola Andrea S.A.C. is part of Joy Produce and the MIGIVA Group family-owned companies with over 30 years of operation in the local and international markets providing products and services in agriculture, aquaculture, fishing / maritime and construction. They have been an IFG licensee for eight years and are our largest licensed grower in Peru, growing 100% IFG varieties. When initially looking at breeding programs, they found that IFG offered not only great varieties, but a program based on listening to what consumers wanted in fruit. Andrea Agricola’s use of IFG logos and trademarks moved away from generic packaging to focus on distinguishing their product from others. Their focus on the upper-tier market and their pride in their produce sets them apart.
“IFG is embedded in our heart and soul,” said Marketing & Business Strategy Director Eduardo Mazzini. “This award carries the IFG image and everything behind it, as well as Dr. Cain’s vision for the industry. It is a true privilege, and we are honored to receive this award.”
“We are passionate about innovation in the industry and try to truly lead by being one step ahead as a key player and game-changer in the industry,” said Jonathan Geller, owner of the family-owned and operated company. “When I think of Dr. David Cain one word comes to mind: inspiring. For years he pursued his dream by investing time and energy to bring IFG to what it is today. He changed the entire industry.”
IFG appreciates Agricola Andrea’s dedication to (and reputation for) quality, which aligns with our mission of supplying the best quality fruit to consumers.
IFG is also proud to recognize family-owned and operated business Exportadora Rio Blanco Spa in Chile as the 2021 D.W. Cain Award Runner-Up for their use of IFG trademarks and quality fruit production.
“Exportadora Rio Blanco Spa in Chile has demonstrated a strong commitment to IFG branding standards in exclusively using IFG variety logos on their bags. Their dedication to delivering the highest quality fruit while maintaining large plantings deserves recognition,” said IFG CEO Andy Higgins.
“We are honored and proud to be recognized by IFG for what we have accomplished over the years and the efforts from our team. This is like a big “tank of oxygen” as we go into the season,” said Ricardo Koch, Exportadora Rio Blanco Spa’s CEO. “This award recognizes our growers’ and team’s hard work, and we are encouraged to continue to work harder to achieve the quality of fruit we aim for.”
Regarding the award’s namesake Dr. David Cain, Ricardo added, “He is the man. I am truly lucky and privileged to have spent so many hours in Delano in the early years with Dr. David walking up and down the vineyard rows.”
“I am very honored that IFG created this award in my name. For me, the award truly represents all the dedicated and loyal licensees who support IFG’s program and merit real recognition and appreciation,” said IFG Founder and retired Chief Plant Breeder Dr. David Cain. “I personally want to thank all the nominees for this year’s award. A special congratulations to Agricola Andrea as the winner and Rio Blanco as runner-up. Their promotion of our varieties lays the foundation for the success of IFG.”
IFG regional teams across the globe submitted nominations for those they felt best demonstrated a commitment to the areas mentioned above. The 2021 nominees were:
- Australia - P&N Natale Pty Ltd
- Brazil - Brasiluvas Agricola Ltda (LABRUNIER)
- Chile - Exportadora Rio Blanco Spa
- Italy - Agricoper Di Gianni Liturri SRL
- Peru - Agricola Andrea S.A.C.
- South Africa – Leon Viljoen
- Spain - UVASDOCE S.L.
- United States - Vignolo Farms
The Selection Committee was comprised of members of IFG’s Executive and Leadership teams for their expertise and overall knowledge of IFG.
IFG would like to offer congratulations to Agricola Andrea S.A.C and Exportadora Rio Blanco Spa for their outstanding work as well as recognize our other exceptional nominees. We look forward to announcing next year’s award winner in late 2022 and making this a very coveted award to recognize our IFG family of licensees whose collaboration, commitment, and loyalty are honored and appreciated.
IFG will present a trophy in a virtual award ceremony with Agricola Andrea S.A.C. and Exportadora Rio Blanco Spa in 2022.
