Jac. Vandenberg Inc. expands Sunrays into full citrus category

Importer and marketer Jac. Vanderber's Sunrays is expanding beyond grapes and mandarins and into the full citrus category. Beginning this summer, consumers and retailers in the United States will see Sunrays-branded lemons, limes, grapefruit, oranges, cara caras, and tangelos joining the brand’s Mandarin lineup.

According to Vandenberg, this expansion represents more than simply adding a new label to citrus shelves, as retailers will now be able to source a consistent, premium citrus offering under one recognizable brand throughout the year.

"For retailers, the expansion creates opportunities for stronger brand consistency, more impactful merchandising, and simplified category storytelling across the citrus aisle—all while delivering premium fruit backed by over a century of sourcing expertise," said the company in a press release. 

Sunrays, an impactful brand

Sunrays was created with the belief that fresh produce brands can drive meaningful impact beyond the produce aisle. Since its launch, the brand has combined premium fruit with a strong social and environmental mission focused on building a brighter future for people and the planet.

Now, with the expansion into the broader citrus category, Jac. Vandenberg is also bringing some of its most innovative sustainability initiatives to a wider audience.

Throughout this rollout, the company will continue to use its award-winning home-compostable fiber netting, developed in partnership with Packnatur GmbH. The alternative packaging solution, which earned the International Fresh Produce Association’s inaugural Best Sustainable Packaging Award, replaces conventional plastic netting with a plant-based material while maintaining the visibility and breathability retailers and consumers expect.

The fiber netting will be paired with industrially compostable labels across the Sunrays citrus lineup, further reducing plastic use throughout the packaging system.

As part of the next phase of the Sunrays packaging evolution, the company is also exploring the future incorporation of compostable PLU stickers within portions of its citrus program as supplier capabilities and commercial scalability continue to develop.

*All images courtesy of Jan. Vanderberg.

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