Southern Specialties and growing partner Meridian will be adding a new raspberry variety to its offering from October to May.

Marketed under the Fresh Kampo label, Southern Specialties procurment director, Carlos Solf, said the Adelita raspberry will complement the company's programs for blackberries, organic blackberries and blueberries.

Meridian president Fabricio Blanco explained that the berry has been in the works for several years. The variety has been under development for nine years, including extensive work for the past three years in Michoacán, Mexico.

"The flavor and presentation are among the best we have seen anywhere. We are pleased to introduce our raspberries in conjunction with Southern Specialties," Blanco said.

The fruit will be available in six-ounce clamshells, with other sizes available upon request.

The patent for Adelita describes the fruit as having "sparse spines density and very abundant production of medium red colored, conical shaped, and very big fruit size."

The most comparable variety to the fruit is considered the Heritage raspberry.

Southern Specialties distrubtes out of Pompano Beach, Florida and has facilities in McAllen, Texas. Its fruit is grown in Central America, South America and North America.

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