What Jac. Vandenberg, Inc. does

Jac. Vandenberg, Inc. is a fourth-generation, family-owned fresh produce importer and distributor founded in 1905 in Groningen, The Netherlands, and headquartered in Tarrytown, New York. The company imports and distributes fresh fruits — including grapes, citrus, stone fruits, pome fruits, persimmons, and pomegranates — from global growing regions spanning every continent except Antarctica, selling directly to leading North American retailers and supermarket chains. Operations are supported by three US offices (Tarrytown NY as headquarters, Gloucester City NJ for East Coast imports, and Carson CA for West Coast operations) handling both vessel and air cargo logistics.

The company's core differentiator is the SUNRAYS brand platform — launched in 2017 for mandarins, expanded to grapes in 2021 and the full citrus category in 2024 — which combines premium produce with a Save the Children giveback mission (over $700,000 donated since inception) and pioneering sustainable packaging. Notable proprietary and partnered technologies include Packnatur cellulose tube netting (100% beechwood, home-compostable in 8-12 weeks, developed with VPZ/Packnatur GmbH), SUNRAYS home-compostable grape bags (first in the US market, developed with TIPA), and interactive QR codes on packaging providing farm-to-pack transparency including carbon footprint data. The company holds multiple sustainability certifications including USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, SCS Sustainably Grown (world's first certified mandarins, 2024), Plastic Free Trust Mark (first US food product, 2019), and Planet Mark Business Certification.

The business operates on a traditional produce import-and-distribute model: purchasing produce from global growers and selling to North American retailers on transaction-based terms. Revenue is not publicly disclosed. The company is self-funded through family ownership with no external investment, employs 22 people, and has won multiple industry awards including IFPA Best Sustainable Packaging (2022), PAC Global Best in Class for Package Circularity (2024), U.S. Plastics Pact Sustainable Packaging Innovation Award (2023), and Reuters Responsible Business Awards finalist (2023). Distribution is exclusively direct-to-retail within the United States.

Name

Jac. Vandenberg, Inc.

Legal name

Jac. Vandenberg, Inc.

Website

https://jacvandenberg.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1905

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Jac. Vandenberg, Inc. is a fourth-generation, family-owned fresh produce importer and distributor founded in 1905, selling premium fruits — including grapes, citrus, and stone fruits under its SUNRAYS giveback brand — directly to leading North American retailers from global growing regions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fresh Produce Distribution

NAICS

Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Merchant Wholesalers (424480), Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Merchant Wholesalers (42448)

SIC

Wholesale-Groceries, General Line (5141)

akta.pro primary industry

Fresh Produce Wholesale (Fruit & Vegetables) (AFAIABAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Fresh Produce Distribution (CRAOABAB)

Keywords

• Fresh produce importer
• Citrus distribution
• Table grapes supply
• Stone fruit importer
• Compostable produce packaging

Headquarters

HQ city

Tarrytown

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Fresh Produce Import and Distribution: Jac. Vandenberg generates revenue through importing and distributing fresh produce (grapes, citrus, stone fruits) to retailers across North America. The company operates on a traditional produce trade model where it purchases produce from global growers and sells to North American supermarket chains and retailers.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Jac. Vandenberg, Inc. is a fourth-generation, family-owned fresh produce importer and distributor that sources grapes, citrus, stone fruits, pome fruits, persimmons, and pomegranates from global growers across every continent except Antarctica and sells them to leading North American retail chains and supermarket operators. The company operates its own SUNRAYS premium brand (mandarins, grapes, and full citrus category) with a Save the Children giveback mission, and differentiates through pioneering home-compostable packaging (Packnatur cellulose netting and TIPA compostable grape bags) and Sustainably Grown/USDA Organic certifications.

Product overview

Jac. Vandenberg, Inc. is a fourth-generation family-owned fresh produce importer and distributor offering a diverse portfolio of fruits across multiple categories. The company operates primarily under its premium SUNRAYS brand (launched 2017), which spans mandarins, grapes, and the full citrus category, with a giveback mission supporting Save the Children. The core product portfolio includes Grapes (Green Seedless, Red Seedless, Red Seeded, Black Seedless), Citrus (Navel Oranges, Cara Cara, Grapefruit, Lemons, Mandarins, Tangelos), Stone Fruits (Cherries, Peaches, Nectarines, Plums, Pluots), Pome Fruits (Apples, Pears), and Other (Persimmons, Pomegranates). The company differentiates through sustainability innovation including Packnatur home-compostable netting, home-compostable grape bags (via TIPA partnership), and Sustainably Grown certifications. Operations span global growing regions including Peru, Chile, Mexico, Brazil, Uruguay, Spain, and California, with three US offices in New York (headquarters), New Jersey, and California.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SUNRAYS: Premium mandarin and grape brand with social impact mission. SUNRAYS is a giveback brand that donates to Save the Children for every package sold. Features home compostable packaging and Sustainably Grown certifications.
• SUNRAYS®

Products and services

• Mandarins Small, sweet, easy-to-peel, mostly seedless citrus fruit (Clementines and Murcotts) sourced from Peru and Uruguay with Sustainably Grown certification; available year-round for retail produce departments.
• Green Seedless Grapes Mainstream green seedless grapes including traditional varieties (Thompson) and proprietary varieties (Sweet Globe, Autumn Crisp); organic options available; available October through July for retail produce programs.
• Red Seedless Grapes Red seedless grapes including traditional varieties (Flame) and proprietary varieties (Sweet Celebration, Scarlotta Seedless); organic available; available November through July for retail produce programs.
• Black Seedless Grapes Black seedless grapes including traditional (Autumn Royal) and proprietary varieties (Sweet Favors, Sable Seedless); available January through July for retail produce programs.
• Red Seeded Grapes Red Globes, the most popular red seeded variety, known for large berry size and extra sweet/crisp flavor; one of the last seeded varieties widely available; available November through July for retail produce departments.
• Navel Oranges Classic juicy, sweet navel oranges, a great source of vitamin C; available May through October under the SUNRAYS brand for retail produce departments.
• Cara Cara Cara Cara oranges with pink-red flesh that is extremely sweet, juicy, and nearly seedless; available August through October for retail produce departments.
• Grapefruit Large grapefruit with sweet, tart, and tangy flavor containing essential vitamins and minerals; available May through September for retail produce departments.
• Lemons Tart and tangy citrus fruit versatile for ingredients, meal flavoring, or palate cleansing; available May through October for retail produce departments.
• Minneola Tangelos Bell-shaped tangelo (grapefruit and tangerine cross) with tangy, sweet, juicy flesh and a few seeds; available July through September for retail produce departments.
• Plums Stone fruit in varied sizes and colors (deep purple to red, yellow, green) with sweet-tart flavors; varieties include Angeleno, Larry Anne, Black Amber, and Lemon Plum; available January through April for retail produce departments.
• Peaches Stone fruit with fuzzy skin balancing tart acidity and sweetness; yellow and white flesh varieties including REGAL'IN; available January through April for retail produce departments.
• Nectarines Smooth-skinned peach variety with firm yellow-red skin and white or yellow flesh; varieties include REGAL'IN yellow and white flesh for retail produce departments.
• Pluots Hybrid stone fruit cross between plum and apricot (mostly plum) with sweet flavor, firm plum-like texture, and apricot undertones; Dapple Dandy variety sourced; available February through April for retail produce departments.
• Cherries Small stone fruit in sweet and tart varieties, colors ranging from yellow to deep red; sweet varieties include Bing, Lapins, Skeena, and Santina; available November through February for retail produce departments.
• Apples Popular pome fruit with over 7,500 varieties worldwide; varieties include Red Delicious, Royal Gala, Granny Smith, and Honey Crisp; available January through June for retail produce departments.
• Pears Pome fruit with mellow sweetness and floral fragrance; varieties range from soft, creamy Anjou to crisper Bosc; varieties include Anjou, Bartlett, Bosc, and Forelle for retail produce departments.
• Persimmons Bright-colored, sweet fruit with mild flavor similar to pumpkin with added fruity sweetness; Fuyu variety sourced with flat bottoms and square shape; available March through April for retail produce departments.
• Pomegranates Super fruit with rich flavor stored in crunchy jewel-like arils; varieties include Acco and Wonder Full; used in cooking, baking, salads, and beverages; available March through July for retail produce departments.
• SUNRAYS Brand (Premium Branded Produce) Premium produce brand spanning mandarins, grapes, and the full citrus category, marketed as 'Snack with Impact' with a donation to Save the Children for every package sold; features home-compostable packaging and Sustainably Grown certification for retail produce departments.
• SUNRAYS California Grape Program Year-round Sunrays premium grape program combining California, Spain, and Peru sourcing with origin and destination quality control for retail produce departments.
• World's First SCS Sustainably Grown Certified Mandarins Premium Sustainably Grown certified mandarin program sourced from first SCS-certified citrus growers in Peru and Uruguay, with the SCS Kingfisher ecolabel on packaging for retail produce departments.

Quantifiable outcome

• Donated over $700,000 to Save the Children
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SCS Global ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2024Third-party sustainability certification body for Sustainably Grown certification. Certifies farms for biodiversity protection, water conservation, climate resilience, integrated pest management, and fair labor practices. First Sustainably Grown certified mandarins to US market through this partnership.
• Agricola Pampa Baja (Peru)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2024Peruvian farm partner for SUNRAYS mandarins. First Sustainably Grown certified mandarin grower in Peru. Partnership enables delivery of world's first Sustainably Grown certified mandarins to US market.
• Forbel SA (Uruguay)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2024Uruguayan citrus grower and exporter founded in 1986. First citrus grower in Uruguay to achieve Sustainably Grown certification. Partnership enables delivery of world's first Sustainably Grown certified mandarins to US market.
• Planet MarkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Sustainability certification and net zero provider. Jac. Vandenberg achieved Planet Mark Business Certification in May 2023. Partnership includes carbon footprint measurement, reduction targets, and UN Sustainable Development Goals contribution. Also includes rainforest protection through Cool Earth and Eden Project support.
• Cool EarthminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Rainforest protection charity partnered through Planet Mark membership. One acre of rainforest in Peru protected in Jac. Vandenberg's name.
• TIPAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Israeli packaging company providing home compostable grape bags. SUNRAYS grape bags made from 20% bio-based polymers (corn starch, sugar cane) and 80% compostable polymers. First home compostable grape bags in US market (2022).
• Uvica (Peru)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Peruvian grape grower and first in Peru to achieve Sustainably Grown certification for SUNRAYS grapes. Exclusive partnership for premium grape varieties.
• Agrolatina (Peru)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Peruvian grape grower and first in Peru to achieve Sustainably Grown certification for SUNRAYS grapes. Committed to sustainability and climate change mitigation.
• VPZ Packnatur GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Partnership for Packnatur cellulose tube netting. Made 100% from beechwood from FSC or PEFC-certified forests. First home compostable netting for citrus in US market (2020). Won 2024 PAC Global Award for Package Circularity. Award-winning sustainable packaging solution.
• Save the ChildrencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2017SUNRAYS brand was created with a giveback mission, partnering with Save the Children by making a donation for every SUNRAYS package packed. Since 2017, Sunrays has donated over $700,000 to the organization. Supports Save the Children's Reading Campaign and 100 Days of Reading campaign. Partnership supports children's health, education, and safety programs.
• David Del Curto (Chile)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1958Foundational Chilean fruit grower partnership established in 1958. Del Curto sought an importer for grapes, peaches, nectarines, plums and apples. One of the most significant and enduring relationships in US-Chilean fruit trade, still continuing today.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Wonderful Citrus (The Wonderful Company): One of the largest US citrus marketers (Halos mandarins, POM Wonderful) with national retail penetration and integrated grower operations, competing head-to-head with SUNRAYS in mandarins and citrus.

Direct peers

• Limoneira Company: Public citrus grower and shipper with direct retail relationships across navels, mandarins, lemons, and specialty citrus, overlapping with Jac. Vandenberg's SUNRAYS citrus portfolio.
• Bee Sweet Citrus: California-based citrus grower-shipper with a comparable premium mandarins and full citrus program, supplying US retailers and competing for the same shelf space as SUNRAYS.
• The Oppenheimer Group (Oppy): Canadian-headquartered fresh produce marketer and importer that sources globally and sells to North American retailers, mirroring Jac. Vandenberg's import + B2B retail distribution model across grapes, citrus, and stone fruit.
• Sun Pacific Shippers: California-based grower-marketer of citrus, grapes, and stone fruit with retail branded programs (Cuties, Mighties), competing for the same produce-department placement as SUNRAYS.
• Stemilt Growers: Family-owned Washington State grower-marketer of apples, pears, cherries, and stone fruit with branded retail programs, comparable in size, family ownership, and produce category breadth.
• Giumarra Companies: Family-owned fresh produce grower, packer, and importer with a global supply network serving US and international retailers, a structural peer in the import-and-distribute model.
• Pandol Brothers: Long-established California-based table grape grower-marketer with global sourcing, overlapping directly with SUNRAYS grapes and Jac. Vandenberg's premium grape positioning.

Regional players

• David Del Curto: Foundational Chilean fresh fruit grower-partner of Jac. Vandenberg since 1958, also exporting directly to global markets; comparable as a vertically integrated Southern Hemisphere produce supplier.

Emerging players

• Driscoll's: Global berry category leader with branded consumer positioning and retailer partnerships in North America; comparable as a branded produce marketer supplying leading retailers, though adjacent rather than overlapping in core citrus/grapes.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/jac-vandenberg-inc

Compliance13 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Jac. Vandenberg, Inc.