Since its launch six summers ago, kid-friendly Little Smoochies citrus has become a retailer and consumer favorite.
Packed in colorful mesh bags, Little Smoochies are grapefruit, mandarins, navel oranges, lemons and limes, said Casey Kio, executive vice president of global business for Consalo Family Farms, Vineland, N.J.
Organically grown lemons and limes also are available, and for the first time this year, the company will import seedless lemons from South Africa.
The fourth-generation company is known for its blueberries and extensive line of vegetables, but it continues to make headway with its imported citrus program.
“It’s become a pretty big category for us [at Consalo Family Farms],” Kio said.
Little Smoochies comes in 2-, 3- and 5-pound bags, but they can also be packed to order.
“We own our own repack and cold storage facility in Vineland,” Kio said.
The company can also pack in generic brands or private labels. The colorful Little Smoochies packaging stands out on the shelf and provides consumers with a reassuring consistency, she said.
“We see a lot of brand confusion in the citrus category,” Kio said.
There is different packaging on lemons or limes than on mandarins or navels.
“With our consistent packaging across all commodities, consumers know that if they see the Little Smoochies brand, they can trust it,” she said.
Little Smoochies are available year round. They’re imported from Morocco and Spain during the winter and from Peru, Argentina, Uruguay, Chile and South Africa during the summer.
Their product is grown to the highest standards, Kio said, and food safety is a company priority.
“We have our own food safety department, and we make sure everything is compliant,” she said.
