California-based date producer Natural Delights recently welcomed more than 30 guests from throughout the world at its annual Medjool Date Harvest Tour. The event gathered retailers, importers, wholesalers, influencers, dietitians, chefs and media professionals, according to a news release.
Tour attendees had the opportunity to go up date palms and test their hand-harvesting skills, guided by the brand's palmeros, gleaning insights into the labor-intensive process from de-thorning to the final harvest.
Attendees also explored the Datepac facilities to learn more about how the products are sorted, graded and packed. The event culminated at a “Harvest Haute” grower dinner with guests enjoying a Medjool date-inspired meal prepared by master chef Walter Zuromski, according to the release.
"Every year, our tour surpasses expectations, thanks to the ever-expanding global network of attendees who eagerly gather to learn about our products and sustainable growing practices,” Natalia Toccoli, digital marketing manager for Natural Delights, said in the release. “We are committed to ensuring that our partners have a comprehensive understanding of every facet of our business, from cultivation to innovation and sustainability."
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Influencers and media attendees shared more than 140 Instagram stories and posts and earned the brand 4.8 million impressions from social content during the two-day event, according to the release. The tour also garnered interest from other media and influencers for next year’s event based on the content shared by attendees this year, the release said.
“Creating raving lifelong fans is the goal of every Harvest Tour, and I think it is safe to say we accomplished that again this year based on the outpouring of glowing reviews from attendees,” Beth Keeton, founder and CEO of Elephant House PR, said in the release.
