As imported table-grape season begins, Tarrytown, N.Y.-based Jac. Vandenberg is introducing its Sunrays branded grapes, which arrived in Philadelphia from Peru Thanksgiving weekend.
The company has been developing this brand for quality as well as social and environmental missions, which were launched in 2017 for the company’s mandarin oranges, according to a news release.
“When we began planning for this expansion in January, we had no idea that a pandemic was going to hit. But here we are and to our team’s great credit, in spite of all the challenges of 2020, we have been able to develop a really amazing addition for the American and Canadian grape category,” John Paap, brand manager, said in the release.
The Sunrays brand backs its tagline “Snack With Impact” by a partnership with Save the Children and commitment to sustainable packaging and farming practices.
Since 2017, the company has donated more than $225,000 to Save the Children, according to the release.
Packaging solutions include the “eco-box” in 2019 and the “bio-bag” this past summer, both of which reduce plastic consumption and greenhouse emissions.
Jac. Vandenberg has partnered with grape growers in Peru, Chile and Mexico to source and pack its Sunrays grapes November through July.
The release said More than 90% of the grapes packed for the Sunrays brand will be proprietary varieties, such as Sweet Globes, Sweet Celebration, Jacks Salute, Timco, Allison and Sweet Favors.
Retailers can register on the Sunrays website, sunraysfruits.com, for crop updates and pictures from the farm, volume outlook, market trends, best weeks to promote and more, according to the release.
