Howard P. Marguleas, 82, principal founder of Sun World International, a long time-member of Western Growers, passed away on June 1, 2017, following complications from cancer. Due to his forward-thinking approach to marketing fresh produce and tree nuts, Marguleas is viewed as an iconic figure in the produce industry.
According to his obituary, Marguleas began introducing many new fruits and vegetables to American consumers in the 1960s starting with selling the first Hawaiian pineapples to be sold on the mainland. Later, he branded fruits and nuts under the SUN GIANT® brand, in addition to branding Red Flame Seedless grapes, vine-ripened tomatoes, colored sweet peppers, seedless watermelon, assorted new grapes and plums and his coveted California-grown mangoes under the SUN WORLD® brand.
“Always the visionary and focused on proprietary produce commodity offerings, Howard left an indelible mark on the fresh produce industry,” said Tom Nassif, president and CEO of Western Growers. “Howard’s desire to introduce new and different fresh produce commodities to the public established his legacy as an industry icon that others continue to emulate to this day. His leadership will be missed.”
