Sean Nelsen Divulges on Fowler Packing's Samsons Sorbet
PHARR, TX - As we move into fall, we see the last bit of summer leave us. I’m reminded of the waning days as I crunch on my bowl of grapes, eager to enjoy the last bit of the summer sun. I got the chance to talk with Sean Nelsen, VP of Sales and Marketing for Fowler Packing, on what to expect in stores in terms of grapes.
“Currently we are harvesting Timpson™, and GREAT GREEN™ for our green seedless, and Jack’s Salute®, Timco™, Allison™, and Scarlet Royal for our red seedless,” Sean starts. “For our black seedless, Autumn Royal and Sweet Sapphire® are seeing good sizing, but we have great quality in all the varieties this summer. Customers are reporting strong repeat sales and good movement through the supply chain on Samsons Sorbet grapes.”
When I heard the word ‘Sorbet,’ I had to ask, what kind of variety is this Samsons Sorbet grape?
“The Samsons have a fantastic quality. They have a crisp texture and a sweet, refreshing taste,” Sean explains. “We have begun shipping to our export customers as well as selling domestically in a variety of pack styles.”
Not only are these grapes intriguing, the harvest only lasts from mid-August to end of September. Sean further goes on to explain increased volume compared to last season, anticipating an additional million plus boxes next summer coming into production with volume growth across all colors in organics. Fowler Packing will be continuing to develop its grape program to provide hot varieties the market place is demanding, which means more Sorbet acreage and production in Candy Snaps® and Candy Hearts®.
“Grapes are still a favorite of many consumers as we transition from the summer fruit season into the fall/holiday produce season,” comments Sean. “Consumers need to be able to trust that when they buy any produce item that it’s going to meet their expectations. Samsons grapes are known to be consistently sweet, crunchy, and offer our customers a trusted experience all season. We have planted strong varieties with over 70 percent of our grapes being newer patented varieties that are sweeter with larger berries and offering a strong, crunchy eating experience.”
With the last of Sorbets up for grabs, the strong push could garner strong sales through large displays and promotions. Retailers can hone in on this satisfying grape variety.
“At Fowler Packing, we are constantly looking for better varieties, innovative farming practices that allow us to produce high quality fruit at the best possible prices to keep the consumers attention and drive sales for our retailer clients,” Sean comments. “Consumers have many choices throughout the summer season with fruit produced all over the world. For grapes to maintain being a lead selling item, we need to continue to offer the best fruit possible.”
Even though Sorbets will only be around for a little while longer, Fowler's harvesting window lasts from July to December, so there are plenty of other varieties to keep consumers satisfied through the rest of the year. As I munch on the last bit of grapes in my bowl, I am now craving to try these Sorbets out. While I go hunt for these limited grapes, keep reading AndNowUKnow for more seasonal varieties.
