An exotic niche
When Gary Clevenger and Jesus “Chuy” Loza started Freska Produce six years ago, mangoes were still relegated to the back shelves of many grocery stores. Many Americans didn’t know — and still don’t — what the exotic fruit even is.
But Freska’s founders saw a market niche they thought they could fill. Their business now imports mangoes year-round and distributes them all over the U.S.
Both are men with agribusiness backgrounds, working together at Ventura-based fruit distributor Fresh Directions International.
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