Local Agricultural Grower Inks Distribution Deal for Popular Cuties Brand Mandarins

Cuties, the brand of sweet easy-peel mandarin oranges produced by Pasadena-headquartered Sun Pacific, will now be distributed in three-pack bags by Core-Mark International to over 50,000 convenience stores throughout the United States.

Barney Evans, President of Sales and Marketing at Sun Pacific, said the deal with Core-Mark serves as an expansion of the company’s commitment to offer Cuties to more customers who are looking for a convenient and nutrient-packed addition to their diet.

“With more consumers seeking healthy options wherever they shop, we see the convenience channel as a high-growth opportunity for Cuties,” Evans said. “By partnering with Core-Mark and Eby-Brown and tapping into its extensive North American distribution network, we have a great opportunity to introduce our popular brand to a wider range of consumers.”

Sun-Pacific is headquartered on East Green Street in Pasadena.

Core-Mark, based in Westlake, Texas, provides fresh, food and broad-line supply solutions to the convenience store industry in North America. In a statement released Tuesday, the company said it has signed a deal with Sun Pacific, making Core-Mark the exclusive distributor of Cuties three-pack bags to the convenience retail market.

Core-Mark also recently joined forces with Eby-Brown Co., one of the largest food service and wholesale consumer products distributors in the country.

“As a well-established brand, Cuties can give convenience retailers more credibility as they enter or grow their presence in the fresh food marketplace,” Chris Murray, EVP for Marketing at Core-Mark, said in a statement. “By adding Cuties to the Core-Mark fresh food program, our retail customers will attract consumers who recognize the value of fresh food, enabling more traffic and bigger baskets.”

Sun Pacific started in 1969 after founder Evans purchased 72 acres of orange groves in the San Joaquin Valley with a vision to cultivate the fertile California land and create specialty crops. Aside from Cuties clementines and mandarins, which were introduced in 1999, Sun Pacific now produces Mighties Kiwi fruit, Air Chief navel and Valencia oranges, lemons, and table grapes; and Vintage Sweets heirloom Valencia oranges, among others.

To learn more about Sun Pacific, visit www.sunpacific.com.