Magic Sun, known as a high-tech grower of conventional and organic tomatoes, has broadened its greenhouse product line with the addition of bell peppers.
Grown at high elevations in the central Mexican region of Zacatecas, Magic Sun is leveraging its greenhouse expertise by growing and harvesting orange, red and yellow peppers to create a program offering sustainable volumes year round.
Alejandro Santander, vice-president of sales and operations with Globalmex International and its Magic Sun-branded produce, indicates that the move into bell peppers is a natural extension of its original conventional and organic tomato programs.
Applying tomato knowledge to grow bell peppers
“The Magic Sun team has over 20 years of experience in the ag business. Our growers excel in leveraging the region’s excellent growing conditions, which offer favorable weather and natural sunlight year-round. Our experience with the new technologies to support our greenhouse-grown tomato programs is being applied to a very similar growing environment for peppers."
“We have continuously invested in and expanded our greenhouse operations to include multiple varieties. With our team of growers and high-tech facilities, we can optimize sustainable greenhouse growing practices and control all aspects of the environment to produce the best-tasting peppers. This combination offers greater consistency for growing tomatoes and the new line of bell peppers, and it enables year-round production on both crops,” said Santander.
Increasing popularity of peppers
Tony Otto, Magic Sun sales manager, said market data shows peppers are increasing in popularity and moving into the top five of most popular purchased vegetable items in the U.S. produce departments.
“Retailers are looking to build on that momentum and give consumers another fresh produce item to add to shopping lists. "Adding the peppers to our tomato program is exciting and enables us to be a more valuable partner with multiple products to offer retail partners."
“We are focusing on three varieties – orange, red, and yellow peppers – which give consumers options for flavor and a spectrum of colors for recipes. Peppers, like tomatoes, are rich in vitamins and minerals and are great options for consumers who are trending towards more fresh produce and healthy eating,” said Otto.
Year-round production
Otto also indicated that retail partners are looking for a diversified program that offers options to quickly adapt to consumer purchasing patterns across certain regions and as markets change throughout the season. With year-round production of peppers, Magic Sun will have sustainable volume and a wide variety of packs to work with retailers on seasonal plans and promotions.
The Magic Sun program offers all three varieties in bulk (11# boxes) and a selection of poly bags including 2 units, 3 units, 4 units, and 6 units. Orange, red, and yellow bell peppers will be available for shipping starting mid-July and continue on a year-round schedule.
For more information:
Anthony Otto
Magic Sun
Tel: +1 (715) 764-3034
[email protected]
https://magicsunfarms.com/