Featured, Kitchen

Trapped Ghost Cake

October 7, 2024

A spooky spiced Halloween cake with hidden mangoes

One of my favorite mango flavors is a fall-inspired combination of caramelized mango and warm spices. In developing mango recipes, I’ve discovered that they’re incredibly complex in flavor (aren’t we all?). While most people think “tropical” when they think of mangoes, these bright, floral, honey-sweet fruits depending on the variety and ripeness all have slightly spicy undertones which can be coaxed out or enhanced with simple techniques chefs use every day in drawing out flavor. The natural sugars in mangoes caramelize when cooked—something I discovered years ago while developing Crespo Organic Kitchen’s mango caramel as well as my favorite mango dulce de leche (Mango Milk Candy). This brings out richer, deeper flavors not common in a fresh mango that tastes very “pumkinesque”—perfect for fall, especially when paired with maple, ginger, and pie spices. Continue Reading…

Culture, Featured, People

Consumer Delight

September 5, 2024

Summer Mango Mania: Cultivating #MangoJoy
reaps substantial, enduring rewards for all

I began last year’s Summer Mango Mania recap by noting that the world hadn’t historically measured ROI in happiness, and that the Crespo Organic Summer Mango Mania #MuchosMangoes promotional results proved the ROI of #MangoJoy should be taken seriously. I’m reaffirming that hypothesis as I recap this season’s results.

Most mango programs lack a wowing experience consumers increasingly crave and almost all of them underestimate the value and power of #MangoJoy.  This year’s Summer Mango Mania recap reinforces that the ROI of #MangoJoy is not only potent but also generates sustainable, repeatable rewards for those who embrace it. Mangoes, the most widely consumed fruit globally, offer a unique energy and history that few fruits can match. The sweet satisfaction of cooking with and eating mangoes is irresistible to nearly everyone who experiences it. Summer Mango Mania is designed to repeatedly trigger that mango fascination.

The Crespo promotion is rooted in our direct-trade philosophy which fosters mutually beneficial partnerships that lead to better prices on the production side which directly correlate to improved, consistent  and diverse quality offerings. The direct connection El Grupo Crespo has established between orchards and tables through retail, wholesale and processor partnerships and a whole lot of expertise, combined with this exciting summer promotion, not only boosts overall mango sales for Crespo’s customers but also drives higher in-store sales for retailers. This success is driven by an enhanced consumer experience, centered on beautiful organic mango displays and complemented by an unparalleled, all-encompassing mango culinary and commodity educational experience.

Celebrating its 9th year, the promotion aligns perfectly with peak mango production in Nayarit and the full Sinaloa season, coinciding with the height of consumer demand— aka summertime. The promotion encourages retailers to build larger and more exciting displays at the onset of summer, enticing shoppers with summer-long sale pricing, and engaging both mango lovers and the mango-curious to immerse themselves in all thing’s mango. The goal is to move the abundant supply by keeping displays full, moving swiftly, and retailers loyal to the promotion’s proven results; ensuring profitability and program longevity across the entire supply chain.

The promotion offers flexibility for wholesalers and retailers, whether you need something simple, like quality Ataulfos at an EDLP for the summer, as New Seasons Market does, or you want to energize your entire customer base like Four Seasons. They not only host a Summer Mango Mania Display Contest but also provide merchandising support and display enhancements that become more impressive each year. This season, Four Seasons’ customers featured mango displays adorned with giant cardboard cut-outs of Mango Tree and Summer Mango Mania emblems, along with the decked out Crespo Mango bins. These displays were complemented by our signature culinary and commodity mango education, including variety posters, recipe cards, and “Our Story” narratives.

Earl’s Organic Produce, one of Crespo Organic’s earliest and  Bay Area exclusive mango distributors, took their annual Summer Mango Mania Display Contest to the next level by including a trip to Mexico to visit El Grupo Crespo’s hometown and main packhouse, Empaque Don Jorge. The winning retailer, along with their salesperson, is rewarded with a trip that includes a beach stay, rich cultural experiences as well as visits to the orchards and both dried and fresh mango packhouses. This evolution of their contest not only motivates sales teams but also keeps them sharply focused on the mango season, which is long and competes with an array of California’s beautiful local stone fruit. Through the summer promotion, Earl’s Organic has successfully maintained strong mango sales, achieving yearly growth alongside the abundance of fresh local fruits and vegetables that California is renowned for.

This past season was defined by remarkable ease on the marketing front, which fueled unprecedented #MangoJoy momentum, despite higher register prices and season-long climate-related growing challenges. Retailers who promoted the program took more risks and reaped greater rewards. This year’s data further suggests that the ROI of #MangoJoy and the Summer Mango Mania promotion is measured not only in profits but also in sustained profitability through shopper interest and loyalty, driven by genuine excitement, trust, and repeat sales.

Retailers went all out this year with their Crespo Organic summer mango displays. A great mango display is much more than just #MuchosMangoes; it’s a prime opportunity for consumers to engage with and experience optimal #MangoJoy at their local grocer. This past season, Crespo Organic Mango retailers created bold, vibrant, and front-and-center displays throughout their stores, attracting shoppers with appealing prices, diverse offerings, and on-the-spot mango education. Secondary displays, smaller setups, and massive front-and-center store entrance displays kept consumer interest high all summer long.

Variety was key to retailer success this past season, with an array of choices prominently displayed. Most Crespo retailers offered Ataulfo mangoes as a staple item alongside Tommy Atkins and Kent mangoes. However, the season’s standout was the limited-availability Crespo Organic {Mango Queen} specialty mangoes like Mallika, Nam Doc Mai, and Keiw Savoy. These varieties drew significant interest from shoppers, leading to increased overall fruit sales.

Cross-merchandising flourished as retailers continued to grow their trust in the program and brand. Crespo’s signature education and recipe cards were used in greater quantities, providing valuable insights to shoppers, while Crespo Mango Bins recorded a record number of QR code scans. Retailers also hosted numerous tastings and demos, enticing mango lovers on the spot with instant #MangoJoy, which translated into fruitful sales for those who sampled the fruit.

The Crespo Organic Dried Mango line, supported by a significant number of the promotions retailers within produce departments, offered a chewy, succulent, and shelf-stable reminder of mangoes’ versatility. Virtual support evolved this season as well with a bevy or engaging mango events and more trendy reels, expertise interviews, online cooking classes, and even a mango book club. The overall exuberance was strong throughout the mania, not just among shoppers but also retailers and wholesalers.

The cost of a mango proved less significant than the joy of the overall mango experience. From purchasing and learning about mangoes to cooking with and enjoying them, consumers found the process more engaging and enjoyable, leading to faster fruit turnover than in previous seasons. As inflation dominated global conversations, and despite increased costs across all links in the supply chain, mangoes—specifically the Crespo Organic Summer Mango Mania displays built on trust in the program— were able to offer not just relief in price but an exciting moment in the shopping experience.

Retailers participating in the promotion saw positive results in both shopper satisfaction and profits. The ROI of #MangoJoy is real, and this promotion proves it. Bottom line: #MangoJoy has tangible value. By working together to cultivate it and building comprehensive, expert driven mango programs around it, everyone—including farmers and farming communities—can reap more substantial and sustainable profits and benefits.

 

 

Farm, Featured

2024 Season Recap

September 2, 2024

Decent sales, sincere loyalty &  extreme #MangoJoy  cultivated despite production hurdles

This season was one of the most peculiar I’ve experienced, but ultimately, it turned out to be one of the best in terms of ROI. Despite numerous trials and tribulations, our customers and consumers stood by us, and together we delivered exceptional mango experiences at the retail level. Shoppers enjoyed decent prices, and we provided plenty of culinary and commodity education. We sold more overall, primarily because we diversified the variety of mangoes available. Although Mexican production was slightly down, the heightened excitement and consumer engagement made sales move faster than in previous seasons. The season is ending this week, but there is plenty to be pleased about in terms of how participants of our program cultivated #MangoJoy and reaped great rewards despite the climate related obstacles. I take more about the rewards of the season HERE.

For now here’s a quick recap or a meander down the seasonal memory lane.

Continue Reading…

Featured, Kitchen, News

Inevitable Mexican Season Ending

August 26, 2024

There’s Now a Date & It’s Imminent

As expected, the Mexican mango season is coming to a close, and the final date is now in sight.

A few weeks ago, we reported mixed projections on the timeline for the Mochis Keitt variety. Many producers speculated that once the fruit reached the proper Brix level (which it did about 10 days ago), it would begin to ready (ripen) all at once—this full crop maturation has indeed happened.

Continue Reading…

Featured, News

Robust Mochis Collaborations

August 22, 2024

Mochis partnerships prove potent as the end of Mexican mango season arrives!

 The arrival of Los Mochis Keitt mangoes marks the bittersweet end of Mexico’s mango season, offering us a few more weeks to enjoy the sweet fruit from this fruit fly-free zone. Despite Mexico’s severe drought this season, the region’s cooperative conditions are expected to extend the season past mid-September. Thanks to our strong partnerships with Empaque Macapul and Empaque Don Juan, we’re navigating this final stretch with the same quality and strength that define the Crespo Organic brand.

Los Mochis is the only region in Mexico where the Crespo Organic brand partners with external packhouses. While El Grupo Crespo excels with proprietary packhouses in Chiapas, Oaxaca, and the flagship & Mexico’s largest hydro thermic mango packhouse, Empaque Don Jorge in Southern Sinaloa, our strength also lies in selecting strong partners—something we’ve successfully achieved in Mochis.

Continue Reading…

Featured, News

What the Blush?

August 13, 2024

Secret blush notes of the Sinaloa Keitt Mango

 

American consumers are often misled into believing that high-quality produce is always uniform, season after season. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Not all mangoes are the same, and that’s something to celebrate. Take the Sinaloa Keitts, for example—these mangoes don’t fit the typical image. Instead of uniform green, they arrive with a mix of yellow, pink, green, and orange blush, with darker speckles. Pretty pastel hues that look nothing like Keitt mangoes from other regions.

This difference is not a flaw but a testament to the beauty of variety. By understanding these nuances—whether it’s varietals, regions, or seasonal changes—we can better appreciate the true quality in both taste and appearance. Sharing this knowledge helps everyone savor more flavor, and in this case, more #MangoJoy.

Continue Reading…

Featured, News

Duel Zone Prowess & Strategic Partnerships

August 7, 2024

Macapul & Don Juan gear up for coveted non-treated organic Keitt mangoes

Calling this Mexican mango season challenging would be an understatement—it’s been more complex than usual and incredibly tough on the production, planning, and packing fronts. Yet, despite these difficulties, Crespo Organic mango shoppers have enjoyed an exceptional year, with access to tasty, high-quality mangoes across multiple varieties at generally fair, though slightly higher, prices. As we enter the final stretch of the season, the Mochis non-treated zone Keitt Mangoes are set to arrive within the next 2 weeks finishing off the season with the same blend of complexity and joy we’ve seen all season long.

I’ll dive right into the current CROP REPORT, which continues to reflect the varietal timing issues we’ve seen since the start of the season—timing that doesn’t align with what’s normal or ideal, timing that we have all learned how to make work. Continue Reading…

Featured, People

3 Minute Mango Expertise

July 24, 2024

 

The importance of mango literacy with Mango Hunter Jeff Ray

“If we keep talking about it. We’ll figure out solutions together to make it easier for everyone to get amazing mangoes.” -Mango Hunter Jeff Ray

I’ve been teaching people about food since my late 20s, starting with culinary herbs and eventually opening Ger-Nis Culinary & Herb Center in Brooklyn. My career in food education has always paralleled my work with farmers in global morganic agriculture. I believe that for farmers to succeed, consumers must understand the entire chain of connection from farm to table. Likewise, farmers need to understand the end user and the commodity they are growing. When these elements are in balance, a proper supply chain can be built, leading to optimal #MangoJoy and enhanced mango literacy or more general prosperity and joy.

When I met Mango Hunter Jeff Ray, I was captivated by his passion for mangoes. It wasn’t just about the Crespo mango he used in the first video I saw. His enthusiasm highlighted the industry’s gap between farmers, the product, and consumers. It was an “Oprah aha moment” for me, reminding me that mango literacy (a term I’m coining, much like #MangoJoy) is something we all must create together. It takes a lot of work and, more importantly, a passion for mangoes, which Jeff and I know many people share!

Continue Reading…

Featured, News

“When It Rains, It Pours”

July 17, 2024

 Mexican mango season battles serious weather-related issues in the final leg

If you consider the current global mango season, the saying ‘when it rains, it pours’ fits well. Ironically, it wasn’t the rains that caused issues, until now.

Throughout the season, we’ve been monitoring the impact of the severe drought and abnormal temperatures on the Mexican mango crop from bloom to fruit. Recently, much-needed rains finally arrived, initially seen as a positive development. However, these rains, coupled with unusually hot, humid, and overcast conditions, have created ideal circumstances for anthracnose, a fungal disease that poses a significant threat to certain/most mango varieties. Despite the drought-stressed fruits benefiting in terms of increased size post-rain, anthracnose has swiftly emerged as a serious problem as it has begun to spread in many of the currently producing mango  orchards. This has notably constrained the harvestable volumes of  the southern Sinaloa Kents, which are currently at the peak of their season. Make no mistake this makes the current output of volumes from all Mexican producers in a volatile and unpredictable state.

Anthracnose at this stage can severely impact the health of the actual fruit. This disease thrives in high humidity and frequent rain. Overcast days with warmer temperatures exacerbate the situation, creating the excess moisture that the fungus loves. In a “good” or “normal” season, rains come as the fruit is being harvested, providing just enough moisture to grow the fruit bigger and juicier. Typically, the sun shines bright after the rains, drying up any excess moisture and creating the perfect climate and humidity for mangoes to thrive. Unfortunately, we have not had those ideal conditions during this Sinaloa season.

Continue Reading…

Featured, People

3 Minute Mango Expertise: Noris Ledesma

July 8, 2024

Risk & Reward: “Who is going to take the risk, who is going to make the changes”

This season is a wake up call according to my guest this week!

I love unraveling ideas and sharing information. This Summer Mango Mania season, I’m excited to introduce 3 Minute Mango Expertise. Each 3-minute video features interviews with mango experts, covering the supply chain from orchard to table. Blog posts and full-length videos provide more details. This series aims to clarify the supply chain and expand knowledge, aligning with my mango blog’s motto – Under my mango tree, all is shared…..

This week’s guest, renowned Dr. Noris Ledesma,  emphasizes the importance of sharing information and collaboration. She knows firsthand the many challenges ahead and agrees that working together is the best path forward. She highlights her work with a diversity of cultivars and reminds us that tropical varieties, like the Ataulfo, fared best during the serious blooming issues throughout Latin America this season, which led to dismal numbers in output, she notes that without change, this is the future.

Continue Reading…