IDAHO FALLS, IDAHO — Kingston & Associates Marketing LLC, one of the largest distributors and marketers of fresh produce to the restaurant and cruise line industries, announces the expansion of its Central and South American import program with the addition of mangoes to its tropical lineup. With over 20 fresh produce items sold amongst three regional sales offices, the expansion into mangoes is a natural choice for Kingston. The key, as with any product expansion, is to source quality product that is both desired by our customers and fits well into our vertically integrated operation. Similar to the Kingston ‘Sugar Pine’ Golden pineapple program, the introduction of mangoes into the product mix capitalizes on Kingston’s synergistic supply chain of growers, trucking logistics, Food Safety personnel, warehousing, and marketing professionals.
With established grower relationships in both Peru and Guatemala, the move marks the first of several program expansions marked for 2012. Kingston Marketing President, Ken Nabal, explained, “Kingston has spent over 38 years building and sourcing its varied array of fresh produce programs. With each addition to the portfolio, we expand and improve our ability to serve our customers. The mango program is no exception—the team is excited.”
The program follows recent developments at Kingston to support the continued import of fresh produce in the region. “Between the expansion of our international procurement activities, opening of our new sales office, and integration of our cold-storage warehousing and trucking divisions—all located in South Florida, the Company is definitely in growth mode,” noted Dave Kingston, CEO and majority-owner of the family of Kingston Companies. Kingston continues, “By controlling and operating multiple points in the supply chain, there are more ways to add value to our customers. These mangoes will be sourced from Kingston’s network of growers, inspected by our food safety specialists, stored at our own cold-storage facility, and even trucked using our own logistic department. That’s what we mean when we say ‘From Planting to Plate.’ (Kingston Planting to Plate Presentation)”
Ken Nabal, concluded, “The #1 focus of this program is to keep sight of our core brand promise at Kingston—a relentless commitment to product quality, food safety and customer service. Whether its mangoes or Malanga, success begins with staying true to this commitment.”
About Kingston Companies
• Kingston & Associates Marketing is one of the largest distributors and marketers of produce products including fresh potatoes, onions, lettuce, broccoli, sweet pineapples, and much more (http://www.kingstonmarketing.com).
• Kingston Cross Dock and Cold Storage is a state-of-the-art produce storage and shipping facility in Pompano Beach, FL. Learn more at http://www.kingstoncrossdock.com
• Associated Trucking provides refrigerated, non-refrigerated, and flatbed transportation to all 48 states in the continental USA. We provide transportation services to the fresh produce, nursery, furniture and other industries.
Source: Kingston Companies
