This summer, citrus departments across the United States are about to get a little brighter.

Sunrays - the “Snack With Impact” brand marketed by fourth-generation, family-owned importer and marketer Jac. Vandenberg, Inc. - is officially expanding beyond grapes and mandarins and into the full citrus category. Beginning this summer, consumers and retailers will see Sunrays-branded Lemons, Limes, Grapefruit, Oranges, Cara Caras, and Tangelos joining the brand’s existing Mandarin lineup.

But according to the Vandenberg team, this expansion represents far more than simply adding a new label to citrus shelves.

With Sunrays now spanning the full citrus category, retailers can source a consistent, premium citrus offering under one recognizable brand throughout the year. Backed by a global network of long-standing grower partnerships and sourcing programs, Jac. Vandenberg is positioned to provide a reliable 52-week supply across multiple citrus commodities and growing regions.

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.

Founded in 1907, Jac. Vandenberg is one of the few century-old produce companies that has remained family owned and operated across multiple generations. The company credits its longevity to the strength of its partnerships, both with growers around the world and with customers throughout North America.

“As a family company, relationships are at the core of who we are and how we do business,” said John Paap, Sustainability Manager at Jac. Vandenberg, Inc. “Over the past 120 years, we’ve built partnerships that span decades and continue to thrive today. Those relationships, combined with generations of expertise in produce, allow us to consistently deliver exceptional fruit to the North American market — especially under the Sunrays 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 - one centered around building a brighter future for people and planet.

 At the heart of that mission is Sunrays’ ongoing partnership with Save the Children, supporting programs focused on children’s health, education, and safety. With every Sunrays purchase, consumers are helping contribute to initiatives that support children and families in underserved communities around the world.

 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.

 Among the key features of the rollout is the continued use of the company’s 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, home compostable alternative while maintaining the visibility and breathability retailers and consumers expect from citrus packaging.

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

 The environmental benefits are only part of the story. Internal shelf-life trials conducted by Packnatur demonstrated that the breathable fiber netting can help extend shelf life by an additional two to three days compared to traditional plastic netting - helping retailers reduce shrink while maintaining fruit quality and freshness for consumers.

 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.

 “Sunrays has always been about doing things better - creating products and programs that contribute to a brighter future for both people and planet,” said Paap. “As we expanded the brand into the full citrus category, it was important that our sustainability commitment expanded alongside it.”

 On-shelf impact is also expected to play a major role in the brand’s expansion success.

 Designed with bright, bold colors and highly recognizable graphics, Sunrays packaging was created to stand out in increasingly competitive produce departments. From bags and cartons to PLU stickers, every element of the brand identity has been carefully developed to capture shopper attention, create energy at shelf, and deliver a cheerful, modern citrus presentation.

 To support the launch, the Vandenberg team is also offering retailers a full suite of promotional and merchandising support materials, including POS signage, display solutions, digital assets, and marketing programs designed to help drive consumer awareness, increase engagement, and support citrus category sales throughout the season.