NOGALES, AZ - The Southern Innovations excitement is heating up! Divine Flavor is taking to the Southeast Produce Council’s (SEPC) annual event with a powerful portfolio in tow, and the supplier is more than ready to show off the strength of its year-round offerings. As the company gears up for this anticipated event, I touched base with Patrick Cortes, Director of Business Development and Strategic Planning, for more details.

“We’re excited about Southern Innovations because it gives us the opportunity to spotlight all of our offerings,” Patrick tells me. “As a vertically integrated table grape and hot house and dry veg grower, this show gives us the ability to showcase what really differentiates Divine Flavor.”

So what can you expect of the supplier’s upcoming showcase? On the table grape front, Divine Flavor will be showing off its Cotton Candy, Sweet Celebration, and Jellyberries varieties. As the company further ups its strength in the snacking category, Divine Flavor will also be drawing attention to its Magnifico grape tomatoes, sweet mini peppers, Persian cucumbers, colored bell peppers, as well as its cucumber and tomato offerings.

“During the Southern Innovations timeframe, we are entering some heavy production periods,” Patrick shares. “We are coming into the import table grape season from both Peru and Chile, and we’re also gearing up for the end of fall and winter hothouse dry veg season, when we’re going to see big production on bell peppers, mini peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, and more.”

The SEPC show grants a prime opportunity for buyers to explore what keeps Divine Flavor on the leading edge.

“Divine Flavor is a direct-source, vertically integrated operation when it comes to Mexican table grapes and hot house and dry veg,” Patrick continues. “In this day and age, as traceability and transparency become much more important, Divine Flavor has the ability to not only provide high-quality, high-flavor products, but we also provide a direct link to the grower.”

Michael DuPuis, Quality Assurance and Public Relations Manager, echoed this sentiment.

“Not only do we have eyes and ears on our farms, but we’re able to relay very key and strategic information to our customers, which allows for fluidity in our programs,” Michael adds, noting the value of clear and direct communication with boots on the ground. “When it comes to planning at the level that Divine Flavor does, this gives us a very significant advantage as a produce brand but also as a growing company.”

Another key focus for Divine Flavor is the health, happiness, and well-being of its team.

“We’re proud of what we do as a company on the social responsibility front. We’re the second-largest contributor of fair trade premiums in Mexico, and the fifth-largest in the world,” Patrick concludes. “Our commitment to fair trade and growing responsibly is key to our success. While we’re focused on flavor and quality, it’s also about making sure our people are well taken care of and happy, which is very important to us.”

There’s so much more to say about this ever-evolving company, but you’ll have to find out for yourself! Stop by to see Patrick and the team at booth #703 during the show.

For more show coverage, keep up with ANUK’s latest updates!

Divine Flavor