Giddings Berries USA opens California office
Giddings Berries USA, a subsidiary of Giddings Fruit, has opened a Monterey, Calif., office.
Ian Grigg is the chief operating officer for Giddings Berries USA. He has been involved in the fresh-cut flower industry for 15 years. He also was in business development and operations for berry company Sun Belle Inc. for more than five years.
Helena Beckett, director of sales, joined Grigg in the new Monterey office. She most recently was retail sales account manager for California Giant Berry Farms, and before that she was senior sales director at Tanimura & Antle. Beckett was also at Fresh Express for 3 ½ years.
"We have assembled a great U.S.A. team and anticipate significant expansion opportunities in the North American market for our premium fruit,” Julio Giddings, founder and CEO of Giddings Fruit.
Giddings Fruit’s subsidiary Black Venture Farms is investing in proprietary blackberry and raspberry genetics and participating in other genetic berry programs for blueberry, strawberry, blackberry and raspberry varieties. The 2020-21 season begins with a proprietary jumbo blueberry brand, as well as conventional and organic blueberries.
The Santiago, Chile-based Giddings Fruit is a vertically integrated company with facilities through North and South America, according to a news release.
The California location allows the company to be closer to customers and simplifies the supply chain, according to the release, and to ensure consistent qualities that meet U.S. standards.
The company’s primary products are conventional and organic blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, cherries and red currants. The company ships to the U.S., China, Asia and Europe from Mexico, Peru and Chile.
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