As January came to a finish, produce supplies are expected to increase from West Mexico in the first days of February. With warmer weather on the horizon, Nogales-based grower-shipper, Divine Flavor will ramp up all its major vegetable commodities from its grower alliance in the Culiacan, Sinaloa region.
Divine Flavor is well rooted in Sinaloa, an essential part of Mexico’s hothouse vegetables. Though a variety of produce items are grown there, bell peppers/mini peppers, tomatoes and cucumbers are the core items it specializes in with its Sinaloa farms. At the heart of its vegetable program is Viva Organica, a sister company to the brand, but also veteran farmers, Hortifresh and Campaña Agricultores.
Divine Flavor specializes in bell peppers/mini peppers, tomatoes, and cucumbers with its Sinaloa farms.
The company, which just returned from visiting with its Sinaloan partners, says things are shaping up nicely for February production to increase. “The climate in Sinaloa has been on the cooler side this past month, but we should start seeing warmer days as we get deeper into February,” said Michael DuPuis, quality assurance and public relations manager. “Weather will always be one of the biggest factors out of our control, but our farms know how to cope with this, and experience plays a major role. We have outstanding growers in Sinaloa, and they understand our mission as farmers and as a produce brand is to grow the best-tasting, freshest products for customers. When weather delays happen, we need to be disciplined to not sacrifice the integrity of our produce for a hot market or when demand is higher after weather delays.”
DuPuis says quality and flavor are the M.O. of the company philosophy, and it praises its partners who understand this. One main focus is on healthy soils and plants, the foundation for producing high-quality and flavorful produce. However, it also helps them rebound faster when unfavorable weather is an issue. “Each of our farms in Mexico plays an integral role in our year-round programs, but there’s something special about Sinaloan farms,” said DuPuis.
“Each of our farms in Mexico plays an integral role in our year-round programs, but there’s something special about Sinaloan farms,” said DuPuis.
All of its Mexican growers are generational family farmers who’ve produced for more than 20 years, Campaña Agricultores has been in business for nearly 30 years, and Hortifresh, slightly more. Both growers have been with Divine Flavor since it was founded in 2007.
Divine Flavor’s West Mexico program started late last year and will run until mid-May when it connects with their Baja and Central Mexico programs. The company produces greenhouse/hot house bell peppers, mini peppers, tomatoes (grape, beefsteak, Roma), and cucumbers (European, Persian, and slicer), both conventional and organic.
For more information:
Michael DuPuis
Divine Flavor
Tel.: +1 (520) 281-8328
[email protected]
www.divineflavor.com