OXNARD, CA - To say that a lot has happened over the past year and a half would be quite an understatement. As Southeast Produce Council’s (SEPC) Southern Innovations approaches, companies are preparing to spotlight the advancements they have made since the start of the pandemic, including Mission Produce, which is why I got in touch with Brooke Becker, Senior Director of North American Retail, to see what the produce company has in store for attendees.

“Now is a great time for retailers to reset and observe the innovation that has occurred throughout the pandemic. We’ve been moving and shaking—a lot has been happening, and SEPC provides the much-needed opportunity to recap Mission’s innovation and development over the last year,” she says. “We’re looking forward to refreshing our clients on the value-added services we provide and sharing about our ability to grow their categories, especially now that we offer custom ripe mango programs.”

While lockdown seems to have skewed the perception of time, it was only in March of 2021 that Mission announced its entry into the mango category. However, the grower is gaining steam, ready to show off its lineup to buyers.

“We’re especially excited to educate current and prospective customers about our ripe mango programs,” Brooke adds. “Using our pre-existing ripening infrastructure and the global network of our 12 forward distribution centers, we’re one of the first to offer a year-round supply of fresh, conditioned mangos at the national and global scale that we are.”

And, of course, it wouldn’t be a Mission showcase without its portfolio of high-caliber avocado offerings on display.

“We’re energized about our full line of bagged avocados, from our single-serving Minis to our shareable Jumbos,” continues Brooke. “Our variety of products were strategically developed to meet the lifestyles of all our consumers, and our merchandising programs are designed to help our customers optimize their avocado and mango programs for profitability, efficiency, and consumer satisfaction.”

To top it off, Mission is sharing the grand opening of its new distribution center in Laredo, Texas, which is anticipated to happen later in September. With the new facility up and running, the company will be able to expand its access on the East Coast, providing its customers with greater options as well as expediting transportation time.

Due to the growth that the fresh purveyor has seen over the past year, Southern Innovations is the optimal time to explore Mission’s offerings and see how its team works to better serve its customers.

“At Mission, we do what we need for the customer. We’ve adapted to an ever-changing market by offering customizable programs, expert category management, and fresh industry intelligence,” Brooke explains. “Through the strategic placement of our distribution centers, we can service most North American customers within 24 hours while providing expert category management support, world-class service, and the most technologically advanced infrastructure available to provide the highest-quality fruit possible.”

Sound too good to be true? It’s not. Stop by booth #107 to see everything Mission has to offer.

Mission Produce