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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.

 

 

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!

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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.

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Featured, People

3 Minute Mango Expertise: Brian Dey

July 3, 2024


“It’s about romancing the mango”

I love unraveling ideas, discovering truths, appreciating complexities, and sharing information. My new Summer Mango Mania series, 3 Minute Mango Expertise, is designed just for that. This week’s featured guest is totally aligned with my desire to graciously and generously share expertise, insights, ideas, and general knowledge when it comes to all things produce.

We equally align in our avant-garde style of both generating and executing ideas that many might consider ideas of madness at the onset.  His execution of ideas is typically flawless! He is a fellow Aries, loads of fun and filled with facts, and one of my all-time favorite produce experts.

He is the person from whom I have gained the most valuable insights in terms of merchandising, especially mango merchandising. We have worked together for the past nine years—he with Four Seasons and I with Crespo Organic. Together, we have navigated several Summer Mango Manias, numerous Cinco de Mayo #CelebrateMexico #CelebrateMangoes, and many Mango Cutting and Tasting Demos.

He is Mr. Brian Dey, and I am deeply appreciative of this learning relationship. I am always thrilled to share his thoughts and ideas especially as they pertain to mangoes. As with most useful insights, his advice is helpful across countless commodities and in life in general!

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Featured, People

3 Minute Mango Expertise: Jorge Crespo

June 25, 2024

The Crespo Mango Man dishes on what it takes to do specialty mangoes

“If you sell it, I will grow it.” Jorge Crespo on the simplicity of the specialty mango saga!

I love unraveling ideas, discovering truths, appreciating complexities, and sharing information. This Summer Mango Mania season, I’m excited to introduce my new series: 3 Minute Mango Expertise. In these videos, I explore various aspects of the mango supply chain, from orchard to table, by interviewing mango experts and sharing all the sweet details with you. Each short 3-minute video will capture the essence of each interview and I’ll supplement each 3 minute video with a blog post and the full length video interview, for those like me, who want more than just short snippets. This series aims to expand minds and provide access to valuable information simultaneously. Helping make the supply chain, from the orchards all the way to the consumer’s table a clear delineated line- which is essentially the motto of my mango blog…Under my mango tree, all is shared…..

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David (OG) & Goliath (CV)

April 17, 2024

Who will protect organic growth amidst economic, climate and social uncertainties?

In the realm of organic produce, the ongoing struggle to safeguard organic growth often mirrors the tale of David and Goliath. This season, amidst economic, climate, and social uncertainties, the appeal of cheaper conventional products has never been stronger for importers, distributors, and retailers alike. Price remains a significant driver for consumer purchases, intensifying the pressure in my career more than ever before. Whether you share my passion for organics or view organics merely as another item on the shelf, the importance of protecting organic market share cannot be overstated.

I’ve experienced the weight of this David & Goliath struggle throughout my journey in the organic industry. However, in recent times, the intensity of this struggle feels magnified. It’s disheartening to witness substantial strides and achievements in organics being overshadowed by the allure of cheaper conventional produce. This shift undermines the integrity of our food systems, particularly concerning organic consumers who demand higher standards. The belief that conventional mangoes reign supreme in profitability is outdated and misguided. This misconception not only contradicts our trajectory but also carries greater consequences beyond profits alone. It’s evident to me that those who gamble against organics are destined to lose.

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Culture, Featured, News, People

#CelebrateMexico #CelebrateMangoes

April 1, 2024

A Cinco de Mayo promotion that celebrates Mexico with mangoes

While Cinco de Mayo may not be a major holiday in Mexico, it has become a significant event in the USA, driving sales of Mexican produce items, including mangoes. We recognize the opportunity this presents for us.

Our #CelebrateMexico #CelebrateMangoes campaign not only excites and entices consumers with all things organic mango, but also educates on the beauty and culture of Mexico. It encourages a celebration of Mexican heritage, including its rich agricultural offerings. Through bold displays of Mexican organic fruits and vegetables, we aim to showcase the value of Mexico’s agricultural richness to consumers.

 

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Ataulfo Marketing 101

January 24, 2024

 

Shortcutting the promotion of Mexico’s yellow slipper

This is an industry geared post.

Despite the challenges in the early Mexican season, Ataulfo mangoes are poised to bring us our  much-needed #MangoJoy.

As our  Crespo Organic Ataulfo mangoes are about to make their debut,  now is the opportune moment to evaluate your current organic Ataulfo program or consider implementing one. With our expertise, top-quality products, and dedicated support, the Crespo Ataulfo program stands strong even amid the chaotic Peruvian circumstances……..carpe diem.

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Harvesting Food Trends

January 15, 2024

 

A mango-centric exploration of the year’s most anticipated influences

Food trends are often a bit waggish, but the current buzzing trends seem poised for positive impact and that excites me. I think the timing is ripe for all of us in mangoes and produce to take a thoughtful look and see how we can harness them to benefit farmers, farming communities, consumers, and everyone’s bottom lines.

I explore 2024’s most anticipated food trends through mango-colored glasses, drawing insights from writers, researchers, mango enthusiasts, shoppers, marketers, culinary professionals, and mango experts. I aim to uncover the meaning within these trends, demonstrating how produce and mangoes align with them at retail level and across the entire chain. My goal is to help our industry foster deeper significance in our practices, embracing the interconnectedness between the business, the eating and the human elements and, above all, spread more #MangoJoy in 2024.

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Culture, Featured, News, People

Cultivating #MangoJoy for Profit

September 19, 2023

The ROI of Crespo’s Summer Mango Mania promotion

 I know I live in a world that doesn’t register ROI in happiness, let alone recognize the monetary value of #MangoJoy.  I am, however, acutely aware that #MangoJoy has value and that when we work together to cultivate it, building comprehensive mango programs that encircle it,  everyone (including farmers and farming communities) reap more substantial and sustainable profits, a rather difficult thing to achieve within any organic produce commodity; regardless of if you are a retailer, wholesaler or a grower/packer/shipper like El Grupo Crespo. Our summer mango promotion was designed to do just that.  And yes, I’ve got empirical data, retailer, wholesaler and processor testimonials along with loads of intuitive data to prove that our Summer Mango Mania promotion works, delivering profits to retailers, excitement to shoppers and sustainability for our growing program.

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