Grower-shipper Creekside Organics says this year’s citrus season begins with an earlier start date. The company will also offer its organic-certified Dulce mandarins, sold under its Fruit World label.
The Dulce mandarins, developed by co-CEO Bianca Kaprielian’s father, will harvest right before clementines. The company says the Dulce mandarins completed a three-year transition to organic, which allows Creekside Organic to bring them to market for the first time as certified organic.
“This variety is really special to us — sweet, tangy, and the first organic mandarin of the season,” says Kaprielian. “It’s a true celebration of what makes citrus season so exciting.”
Organic California lemons kicked off the citrus season in the D3 growing region. Creekside Organic says this year’s harvest is about four weeks ahead of last year. Creekside says its expanded acreage of organic lemons helps ensure a year-round supply for retailers.
“Shoppers rely on lemons, so they are a great way to drive repeat sales,” says co-CEO Brenda Haught.
Organic grapefruit and sweet limes begin this week. Organic navels look to an early November harvest, and cara cara oranges will begin in December.
Creekside Organics says its cara cara production expands by three blocks that obtained organic certification. The company says this gives retailers more opportunity to promote the consumer favorite thanks to its bright color and sweet-tangy flavor.
Creekside says it has also increased its volume on kumquats, minneolas and blood oranges.
Creekside says the Reedley, Calif., packing facility is now leased by Cobblestone Fruit and will strengthen its relationship with Cobblestone Fruit. It says the move supports the consistency and capacity of its citrus programs and that it also will not change Fruit World packs.
