Reedley company part of Sunkist's grape plans

After 117 years, the Sunkist brand has become synonymous with all things citrus. Now a Reedley-based company is part of an effort to extend that familiarity to grapes.
Bravante Produce is one of two companies in the state participating in Sunkist's newly announced plan to sell red, green and black seedless table grapes at home and abroad. The new line of Sunkist grapes will hit retail stores later this spring. Local harvest around the Fowler area should begin this July, said Carly Rodgers with the Bravante Produce sales team.

Sunkist expects to ship about two million cartons of grapes during the first year of the program. Richard Bagdasarian, Inc. in Riverside County is the other grower, packer and shipper participating with Sunkist.

"The Sunkist name helps open doors in new markets," said George Bravante, managing partner of Bravante Produce, in a press release."We've been extremely pleased with the benefits we've enjoyed from becoming a part of Sunkist and are looking forward to adding grapes to the Sunkist family of produce."

The deal came about through an existing relationship between Bravante Produce and Sunkist. Bravante began growing citrus for the Sherman Oaks-based company in 2009.

Rodgers said Bravante Produce opened its Reedley offices and packing house about four years ago. The company's namesake managing partner is also a real estate investor who owns and operates Bravante Vineyards in Napa.

Sunkist President and CEO Russ Hanlin said in a release that Sunkist chose to expand its portfolio with grapes "because, like citrus, they are a great-tasting, convenient, healthy product that everyone loves."

At its annual meeting last month, Sunkist announced 2010 annual sales of $1.01 billion, up from $860 million in 2009.