Merchandising Corner

Grapefruit and pomelo have a lot in common. They are larger sized citrus with a distinct flavor and chock full of vitamin C, antioxidants and fiber. It’s no wonder they are so popular during the winter months! Although similar, grapefruit and pomelo are not interchangeable, and each has their own distinct characteristics.

How they grow: When pomelos hang on the tree, they frequently hang alone. Grapefruit tend to grow in clusters, so much so that they can resemble grapes on a vine. (Fun fact! This is how grapefruit got their name.)

Origins: The pomelo is a separate species while the grapefruit is a hybrid, resulting from crossing a sweet orange with a pomelo.

Peel: Pomelos have a thicker rind than grapefruit, and much more pith.

Shape: While grapefruit are round, pomelos are generally shaped more like a pear or teardrop.

Size: Grapefruit are big, but pomelos are even larger - in fact, pomelos are the largest of all citrus fruits.

Taste: While pomelo and grapefruit both have a flavor that ranges from sweet to bittersweet, the taste of a pomelo is noticeably sweeter and often has subtle flavor overtones.

Texture: Pomelo generally have less juice than grapefruit proportionally. Pomelo fans (of which there are many) find the denser, chewy consistency very satisfying.

Grapefruit and pomelo are tasting their best right now at the peak of the season. With several varieties available for both fruits, you can’t go wrong!

Learn about all the citrus fruits in our brand new Citrus Guide!

New Year, New Displays

The New Year is here and with the last of the holidays now behind us, we can get back to the basics and focus on fresh, and seasonal produce. Winter provides many great display opportunities. For the most part winter products are hardier and do not require as much maintenance as more perishable spring and summer products. After the holiday rush it can be refreshing and relaxing to present your customers with comfortingly simple displays. Here are some suggestions that are simple but also exciting.

Broccoli is a staple item that all customers love and is great to use when creating a bright, colorful display. Try using lemons or tangerines to accent the display.

Grapefruit season is here. Grapefruit holds up well and looks impressive when displayed in bins or large endcaps. VV is the exclusive representative of B&J Ranch, and we think it is the most delicious grapefruit in California. Ask your Account Manager about merchandising materials to promote B&J citrus.

Onions, hard squash, potatoes and sweet potatoes are cold-weather staples and will continue to be popular items throughout the winter. Make sure to add pops of green to these displays with Brussels sprouts, asparagus, and green beans. Contrasting a bright purple kale or strikingly red beet with a collard green not only looks great, but also encourages buying the items to prepare together.

Dancy Tangerine: An heirloom going back 150 years, and one of the first tangerines. Tangerines got their name because they originated from Tangiers in Morocco. Thin-skinned and easy to peel, this is a sweet, juicy and rich flavored variety with some seeds. Available in medium, large, and jumbo sizes. Check out our Citrus Guide for more flavor notes!

Fuerte Avocado: Coming soon! A favorite of the greenskin varieties, the taste is rich and creamy with notes of hazelnut and a lemony, grassy finish. The first to arrive are from older trees in Southern California, and will run small sized fruits this season.

Heirloom Tomato: These delicious tomatoes are coming from Ram’s Farm, in Baja California, Mexico. Mixed medley may include Brandywine, Kellogg’s Breakfast, Black from Tula and Red Ananas—four varieties selected for flavor and shelf life.

Kishu Tangerine* (above) : Coming soon! Considered one of the most delicious tangerines, Kishu are seedless, generally smaller than a golf ball, and very easy to peel. Some people wait all season for this variety!

Minneola Tangerine: The perfect blend of sweet and tart flavor. Very juicy. Known for its characteristic “bell shape.”

Red D’Anjou Pear: These pears have a mild, sweet flavor, with very smooth texture and abundant juices when ripe. Great supply!

Retail Greens* (right) : Check out greenhouse grown salad mixes from Spring Born Farms. These leafy greens are sustainably grown in Colorado using 95% less water and available in recyclable clamshells.

Sunrise Papaya: Fresh from Molokai Island in Hawaii, the flavor of these papayas has been described as a blend of mango, peach, and banana. Strong supply.

Bacon Avocado: Smooth, buttery and silky, these are a great value, particularly while the Hass market is unusually high-priced this winter.

Bell Pepper: Steady supply on all colors; excellent price!

Cara Cara Navel Orange: Complex and rich, these Cara Caras are sweeter than a typical Navel, slightly tangy, and less acidic, with a hint of berry flavor.

Dino Kale* (left) : Great price. Stock up on this high demand item for New Year’s juicing and healthy eating trends.

Globe Eggplant: Strong supply out of Mexico.

Rio Red Grapefruit: Sweet, mildly tart, and super juicy, this grapefruit is seedless with deep red flesh. Available from VV exclusive grower, B&J Ranch, which is located in the Coachella Valley. B&J Ranch has been growing delicious, high quality citrus for over four decades!

Roma Tomato: Sharp pricing; readily available.

Ruby Grapefruit* (right) : Sweet and tart, with a vibrant tang underlying the flavor profile. Full of delicious juice and crisp, red flesh, these are in good supply.

Artichoke: Gapping

Asparagus: Gapping

Cauliflower: Supply is tightening up due to a slow down in production

Celery: Rain has affected the supply

Cherimoya: Limited quantity - get ‘em while you can!

Crimini Mushroom: Supply continues to be limited

Fair Trade Hass Avocado

Slicer Cucumber: Prices are up

Watermelon