Organic Pineapple Working Group

[Organic Pineapple Working Group <opwg AT lists.ibiblio.org>]

On 11/20/2014 7:48 AM, Kellen Haroldson wrote:

I was reading the July newsletter for the Pineapple Working Group and noticed your e-mails.  I'm actually a graduate of the University of Hawaii-Monoa.  I now live in Florida and own Fresh Harvest Organics.  We distribute organic produce throughout the U.S. and import from Central and South America.  Currently, we are looking for some organic pineapple growers/suppliers.  Location is not as important as quality and a consistent supply. 

About 50 growers, academics and development specialists from all over the world subscribe to the Organic Pineapple Working Group mailing list and have received your query, which Duane kindly posted to <opwg AT lists.ibiblio.org>.  (Subscribers can join the OPWG via: http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/opwg )

I am going to disagree with your assumption regarding location, because pineapple quality is closely linked to both freshness and the degree of maturity of the fruit when harvested, which in turn is linked to the distance the shipment has to travel unless airfreight is employed, which raises the cost considerably.

Therefore, I believe a grower or distributor located either in the Caribbean or near the Atlantic Cost of Mexico, Central or South America is best suited to fill your needs and thanks to Duane, a number of them should have received your request and therefore, a response may be forthcoming.

If not, feel free to communicate with me directly and I'll see what can be done.  (In order to post to <opwg AT lists.ibiblio.org>, you would have to subscribe and if you do, I'll approve your subscription immediately).

Thank you for your interest in Organic Pineapple.

Douglas Hinds
Organic Pineapple Working Group Chair
list-owner of the <opwg AT lists.ibiblio.org> Discussion Group
General Director of the Center for Community and Rural Development <cedecor AT gmx.net>
Coordinator of the Alliance for Social and Environmental Responsibility in Agriculture and Rural Development
<aserard AT gmx.com>

We need around 2 - 40' containers per month.  I know you are not growers or sellers but I'm hoping you have some contacts you could refer me to.  If this is something you could help me with please contact me at 561.376.6782 or by email. I appreciate any help you can offer.  Thank you. 

Best regards,

Kellen Haroldson

Managing Director

Fresh Harvest Organics 

561.288.1179

Kellen AT FreshHarvestOrganics.com

FreshHarvestOrganics.com

On 11/20/2014 03:42 PM, Organic Pineapple Working Group wrote:

mailman.84.1416519749.2416.opwg AT lists.ibiblio.org" type="cite"> Hello Kellen:

The only relatively large grower of organic pineapples I know of/have heard of, is Dole (http://www.doleorganic.com/); it's part of their Costa Rica operation but I think is a separate division. The "Contact us" link at the web site isn't working so if you can't find a Dole rep in Florida, I suggest you contact Ronald Gonzalez <Ronald.Gonzalez AT dole.com>. I visited the Dole organic fields and composting area in 2012 and it looked like a very competent operation.

I am copying to the Organic Pineapple Working Group in case there might be growers in that group with the size needed to meet your requirements. I don't have regular contact with that Group but assume the moderator will reply directly or distribute your request to the OPWG members and ask them to contact you if there is the interest/capability to supply your company with fruits.

Best regards,
Duane Bartholomew

-- 
Duane P. Bartholomew, PhD
Emeritus Professor
Dept. Tropical Plant & Soil Science
Univ. of Hawaii at Manoa
3190 Maile Way
Honolulu, HI 96822
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