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David chairs the board of directors of Sun World International, one of the world’s…
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David Marguleas reposted thisDavid Marguleas reposted this🍒 New on Fresh Takes on Tech: What happens when advanced science meets decades of produce commercialization experience—and stays focused on the consumer? In this episode, I spoke with David Marguleas of Sun World International and Tom Adams of Pairwise about their award-winning partnership and what gene editing really looks like when it’s applied thoughtfully and responsibly in fresh produce. The companies were awarded IFPA's Circle of Excellence Award for their collaboration. I have known and admired David and Tom for years and felt so fortunate to speak with them together on my two favorite subjects - breeding and produce!! We talked about why traits like pitless cherries aren’t just about novelty—they’re about convenience, accessibility, and ultimately increasing fresh produce consumption. When innovation solves a real consumer pain point, adoption becomes a very different conversation. David and Tom also shared how regulatory momentum, grower confidence, and transparency across the supply chain are aligning in ways we haven’t seen before. It’s a strong signal that we’re entering what David called a golden age of breeding—one where precision tools help deliver better flavor, resilience, and sustainability without losing sight of trust. This conversation is a reminder that technology alone doesn’t drive change. Collaboration does. International Fresh Produce Association Max Teplitski Dr. Jennifer Wagner Sanchez, DBA Lauren Scolnic #geneediting #plantbreeding #produce
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David Marguleas shared thisPleased to see Sun World connecting its licensees and leading retailers around the world. Congratulations to Denmark's Salling Group and the Sun World licensees who supplied AUTUMNCRISP® brand grapes to Salling and their customers.David Marguleas shared thisSuccess doesn’t happen by accident. It happens by alignment. When Sun World and Salling Group partnered to bring branded AUTUMNCRISP grapes to Danish shelves this year, we saw incredible results - a 90% sales lift, a 25% boost to the grape category, and 1.5M influencer-driven impressions. But here’s the headline I want to underscore: This isn’t an exclusive story. It’s a replicable one! Salling Group wasn’t the only retailer to sell AUTUMNCRISP - it was simply the first to work with us to build a branded private-label program around it. The results speak for themselves, and similar momentum is already happening in markets around the world. My door (and inbox) is open - I’d love to work with any of our retail partners to unlock this kind of success - and tell your story next. In fact, I’ll be at Fruit Logistica in Berlin this February, if you’d like to connect at the show, please reach out. Because when it comes to the AUTUMNCRISP effect — there’s more than enough buzz to go around. https://lnkd.in/g3cG5rtjAUTUMNCRISP® Grapes Launch Creates Buzz, Breaks Records in Denmark; Elena Hernandez and Anders Juul CommentAUTUMNCRISP® Grapes Launch Creates Buzz, Breaks Records in Denmark; Elena Hernandez and Anders Juul Comment
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David Marguleas reposted thisDavid Marguleas reposted thisThe next chapter in produce isn’t about what any one company can do — it’s about how we all move forward together. At International Fresh Produce Association’s Global Produce & Floral Show, conversations with retailers, growers, and partners made one thing clear: - To meet consumer expectations, we need bold innovation rooted in reality — flavor that performs, genetics that scale, and tools that work in the field. Sun World is leaning into that challenge — not just with grapes, but with mangoes, citrus, and cherries — so our industry can grow stronger, smarter, and more sustainable from the ground up. The question we heard most at IFPA? “How do we help keep growing each category in 2026?” Our answer: ✔️ Invest in flavor-forward varieties ✔️ Build stronger licensing networks ✔️ Innovate with retailers, not just for them The future of produce isn’t a mystery. It’s a mindset — and it starts by solving real problems with real partnerships. 📌 Share or comment below if you’re part of the solution.
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David Marguleas reposted thisDavid Marguleas reposted thisWe're #hiring a new Licensing Manager, Northeast Brazil in Brazil. Apply today or share this post with your network.
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David Marguleas shared thisHonored to receive this IFPA Circle of Excellence award recognizing our recent collaboration aimed at producing the industry’s first pitless cherry. I accepted the award on . behalf of Pairwise CEO Tom Adams and his team as well as all of my Sun World colleagues. We are eager to build on our legacy of fresh produce innovation — falling on the heels of other novel products including seedless grapes, seedless watermelon and seedless lemons — that Sun World has brought to the industry. While this joint venture focuses on delivering a key convenience trait in fresh cherries, anyone that closely follows Sun World or Pairwise will know that this is likely just the beginning of a very fruitful partnership…David Marguleas shared thisInnovation starts with imagination—but the real magic happens when bold ideas are brought to life with precision, purpose, and the right partners. This was the case during the Global Produce & Floral Show this weekend where David Marguleas, Executive Chair of Sun World accepted the 2025 Science & Technology Circle of Excellence Award from the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) honoring him and Tom Adams, CEO of Pairwise. This recognition speaks to more than just breakthrough science. It reflects the progress being made when innovators put the right technologies into the right hands—creating real change across the supply chain. From next-generation grape brands, innovations in citrus or mangoes, or our partnership exploring pitless cherries, Sun World is shaping a future where fruit meets modern life in smarter, more sustainable ways. Congratulations, David and Tom —and thank you to IFPA for celebrating the bold leadership that helps our industry grow forward. #GPFS2025
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David Marguleas shared thisExciting times in the world of fruit genetics, and looking forward to joining forces with Tom Adams and his Pairwise team in bringing fresh produce consumers more flavor, texture, convenience and delight.David Marguleas shared this🍒 A new chapter in fruit innovation is underway. Sun World has entered a strategic partnership with Pairwise to bring a pitless cherry to market—an advancement that will unlock new opportunities for growers, delight consumers, and help modernize one of the world’s most beloved fruits. This partnership builds on our shared belief that the future of produce lies in combining better eating experiences with smarter, more sustainable farming solutions. By removing one of the key barriers to cherry consumption—the pit—we're working to deliver a product that aligns with how people snack, cook, and shop today. For growers, this represents a chance to enter a new era of premium cherry production with built-in consumer appeal and a clear point of differentiation. For retailers, it opens the door to stronger merchandising and new promotional potential. And for consumers, it means enjoying all the flavor and beauty of a cherry – just made easier. We believe great fruit should meet people where they are. And with this collaboration, we’re building toward a future where fresh fruit fits more effortlessly into everyday life. And while these cherries won't hit shelves tomorrow, the work starts now. It may take several years to bring a commercial pitless cherry to life—but that's exactly the kind of long-term investment the future of fresh produce demands. This is more than a breakthrough. It’s a sign of where the industry is headed—and how we’re helping lead it there. 🍒 To read more about this news and what it means for the industry read today’s Business of Food newsletter from Bloomberg and the article from Ilena Peng. (Link in the comments section below.)
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David Marguleas reposted thisDavid Marguleas reposted thisCheck out this job at Sun World International: Senior Agronomist, Citrus and Sub-Tropical Fruits. We are looking for talents in South Africa 🇿🇦 to join the technical team in an exciting opportunity of growth and innovation
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David Marguleas shared thisA wonderful opportunity to help Italy’s grape & citrus producers prosper.David Marguleas shared thisWe're #hiring a new Commercial Manager, Europe in Bari, Apulia. Apply today or share this post with your network.
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David Marguleas reposted thisMore than 2,000 producers in 17 countries have helped make AUTUMNCRISP®️ a game-changing grape well on its way to becoming a $1 billion brand. From humble beginnings at Sun World’s fruit breeding facility in central California, the large green variety with a crunch that pops in your mouth has in a few short years helped propel grapes to a top five category in today’s supermarket produce section. Well done to the accomplished fruit breeder Dr. Michael Striem who created it and to the many people along the way who have tested, propagated, planted, farmed, promoted and enjoyed AUTUMNCRISP®️ brand grapes.David Marguleas reposted thisHave you heard? AUTUMNCRISP® is the most impactful grape ever! https://lnkd.in/ecpbmc6v #autumncrispgrapes Divine Flavor
David Marguleas commented on a post
3w
Way to go Anthony! Congratulations on yet another innovation.
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David Marguleas liked thisDavid Marguleas liked thisFrom Dean Ashley M. Stokes: Fantastic salads! Thank you to Taylor Farms for hosting us today for a visit here in the Salinas Valley in CA! They grow healthy and safe produce that is delicious…I appreciate their attention to detail when it comes to growing and harvesting right here in these beautiful fields. We appreciate the many partnerships in research and student training programs!
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David Marguleas liked thisDavid Marguleas liked this#bts @ Supermercato: Open Day! A live look at the price embedded bar codes at work at Supermercato from the last video. If you're around Double Bay, come check out all the fresh produce or amazing smoothies available now! #supermercato #techenabled #venture
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David Marguleas liked thisDavid Marguleas liked thisOur 2026 Symposium & Field Day brought together 450+ industry leaders who are shaping the future of produce to explore what’s next for fruit. We kicked off with our inaugural Grower Symposium, bringing industry leaders together to explore the ideas and innovations shaping the future of fresh, from breeding and gene editing to eating experience, automation, AI and the evolving realities of labor, climate and supply chain resilience. One message came through clearly: eating experience matters, and product consistency is key. As technology gives us new ways to breed for flavor, color, nutrition, shelf life and other attributes consumers value, the opportunity is not just to create a great eating experience once—it’s to deliver that same experience consistently. Because when consumers find something they love, we want them to know they’ll get that same great quality every time they buy it. At the Field Day, attendees saw Sun World innovation in action, walking vineyards, meeting growers, seeing how new varieties are grown and prepared for retail, and tasting the difference firsthand. The newly dedicated David Marguleas Fruit Tasting Room at the Center for Innovation gave attendees another opportunity to experience the work up close, from new varieties in development to finished product ready for the marketplace. We also unveiled sneak peeks of two new grape brands and hosted our first-ever Grower Fruit Show to showcase post-harvest fruit, connecting the work happening in the field with the eating experience consumers ultimately take home. There’s something powerful about experiencing innovation in real time: hearing from the people driving it, seeing it come to life in the field, and tasting What’s Next for fresh fruit. Thank you to the incredible guest speakers who made this event possible: Lori Taylor, Vonnie Estes, M. Jill Overdorf, Elliott Grant, Meghan Diaz, Anders Juul, Tom Pedley, David Cain, Michael Striem, Terry Bacon, Paola Barba & Bruce Reisch. We'll be diving in deeper to learnings from each of the three panels throughout the month! Stay tuned...
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David Marguleas liked thisDavid Marguleas liked thisWhat will it take to get more people eating more fresh produce? That was the question at the heart of Sun World’s Future of Food panel at our Symposium last month in Bakersfield. The conversation went well beyond what’s happening in the field. Industry leaders M. Jill Overdorf, Vonnie Estes and Elliott Grant explored how a single poor eating experience can keep a shopper out of a category for months and why the next wave of innovation needs to put consumer-facing traits like flavor, color, nutrition and shelf life alongside agronomic performance. We also looked at the role technology can play in getting those innovations to market faster, the importance of building resilience in the face of climate challenges and why solving complex issues like packaging and food waste requires looking across the entire supply chain — not just one link. The takeaway? Getting more people to eat more fresh produce starts with creating better and more consistent eating experiences, and innovating collaboratively will make those experiences possible.
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David Marguleas liked thisDavid Marguleas liked thisWhat's better than the first purchase? The second, third, fourth and fifth purchase. 🛒 That question was at the heart of Sun World's Global Retail Panel, where retail leaders from the U.S., U.K. and Europe explored what it takes to build and sustain consumer demand. Our panelists Meghan Diaz (Senior Director of Produce, Sprouts Farmers Market), Tom Pedley (Senior Fruit Buyer, Marks and Spencer) and Anders Juul (Category Manager, Fruit & Vegetables, Salling Group) discussed why getting shoppers to try something is only half the equation, and how creating a quality, consistent eating experience is what gives them a reason to come back. When asked what single trait matters most in driving demand and repeat purchase, the answers varied: value, texture and flavor, and consistency. But each pointed to the same bigger idea: Retailers do not want to give prime shelf space to an underperforming SKU. AUTUMNCRISP® offers a real-world example of what earning your shelf space can look like. The brand has built recognition and consumer trust around a consistent quality experience. That trust has translated into something even more meaningful: shoppers choosing to come back for a product they know will deliver. What do you think is the key to a repeat purchase: flavor, texture, consistency, value…or something else? Share your thoughts in the comments below. ⤵️
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David Marguleas liked thisDavid Marguleas liked thisI’ve toured a lot of farms and produce operations over the years, but our recent visit to Stemilt Growers in Wenatchee was special. SunTerra and Project FoodBox have been partnering with Stemilt since 2020, purchasing millions of apples and pears that have made their way into our healthcare and food bank programs. On this trip, we started the morning in the cherry orchards with Kyle Mathison watching him interact with the harvest crews and seeing how they combine generations of farming experience with real-time data to constantly improve performance and quality. Kyle then took us into the orchard and taught us how to pick cherries ourselves, which gave me a whole new appreciation for the skill, speed and care required to harvest this fruit. As he’s asked thousands of harvesters over the years, Kyle looked at us and asked, “Do you want to be World Famous?” - a nod to Stemilt’s iconic “World Famous” brand. Of course we said yes! The geography itself is remarkable. The orchards climb thousands of feet up Stemilt Hill, allowing the harvest to start at the bottom of the hill and progress upward as the fruit ripens at different elevations. Pair that with the incredible technology used to sort, pack, cool and distribute the fruit, and you see an amazing combination of farming tradition, skilled people and modern innovation. What excites me most is where we can go from here. As Food is Medicine and direct-to-consumer programs grow, there’s an opportunity to build an even stronger connection between farmers, healthcare and consumers - collaborating on new pack sizes and form factors that create a great eating experience for members while opening new, consistent channels of demand for growers. A special thank you to West Mathison, Tate Mathison, and Kyle Mathison Orchards Inc for the hospitality, and to Tommy McCloskey, Connor Brazeel, and Jon Thomas for joining! We’re proud of what we’ve done together since 2020 and even more excited about what we can build next. 🍎🍐🍒📦
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David Marguleas liked thisDavid Marguleas liked thisSun World has expanded its table grape portfolio with the launch of two new specialty brands: SUMMER BLUSH and FLAVORCRUSH. The company unveiled the brands during its 2026 Symposium and Field Days, attended by more than 450 growers, marketers, retailers, researchers and industry partners. SUMMER BLUSH is the commercial brand for Sugra74, a midseason bi-color seedless grape characterized by natural ombre coloring ranging from green to pink and red blush, a crisp texture and candy-like flavor. FLAVORCRUSH will market Sugra60, a midseason red seedless grape featuring large berries, a mildly crisp texture and a fruity flavor profile with tropical notes. Sun World says the launches aim to provide growers and commercial partners with differentiated options while giving retailers clearer tools to communicate specific eating experiences to shoppers. Read the full story: https://lnkd.in/dT9r8FsN #SunWorld #TableGrapes #Grapes #FruitInnovation #FreshProduce
Experience & Education
Courses
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Harvard Business School, Agribusiness Executive Program
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University of California at Davis, Agribusiness Executive Program
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Honors & Awards
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Vanguard Award
Produce Business Magazine
Organizations
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Farm Payment Technologies
Board member
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FIND Food Bank
Board of Directors
-Regional Southern California food bank
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California Fresh Fruit Association
Board of Directors
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California Table Grape Commission
Board of Directors
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