World Variety highlights combo pack of dragon fruit at AWG showcase

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — With more than 1,500 options among its offerings, World Variety Produce had plenty of products to highlight at the Associated Wholesale Grocers' seventh annual Innovation Showcase, March 25-26.

“We can be nimble and quick to cater to any customer’s needs,” said Lee Crenshaw of World Variety Produce Inc., Vernon, Calif.  “We can do ginger in 10 different ways. We really work closely with retailers to provide whatever their needs are."

Among Melissa’s branded produce items World Variety was showcasing at the AWG show, Crenshaw pointed to the tropical flight pack of dragon fruit, which contains three varieties of dragon fruit (red, yellow, and white) in one pack.

In addition, the marketer is offering Elefante Green Gold Pineapple, a green-skinned pineapple from Ghana that is taller, skinnier and larger than the average pineapple. The variety has an edible core and soft white flesh ripe with honey-sweetness and almost no acidity, according to the company’s website.

World Variety is the exclusive distributor of the Elefante Green Gold Pineapple in the U.S., Crenshaw said.

World Variety is also marketing retail 1.7-ounce packs of  Melissa’s Four Cheese Sauce. Finding great demand from consumers, the sauce is a combination of imported cheeses from France for use on roasted vegetables or other dishes, he said.

Related: AWG's Innovation Showcase draws its biggest crowd yet