International Fruit Genetics facts for kids
 |
|
| Private | |
| Industry | Fruit breeding |
| Founded | 2001 |
| Founders |
|
| Headquarters |
,
United States
|
|
Key people
|
|
| Products | Grape and cherry licensing, including Cotton Candy grapes |
| Owner |
|
| Parent |
|
International Fruit Genetics (IFG) is a company that creates new types of fruits. They are based in Bakersfield, California, USA. IFG develops special kinds of grapes and cherries. They then allow farmers all over the world to grow these unique fruits.
IFG is known for creating the famous Cotton Candy grapes. These grapes taste just like cotton candy! In 2023, IFG joined with another company called SNFL Group. Together, they formed a new company called Bloom Fresh International.
Contents
How IFG Started
IFG was founded in 2001 in Bakersfield. Five people started the company: David Cain, Jack Pandol, Glen Stoller, Terrie Stoller, and Craig Stoller.
David Cain was a fruit breeder. He worked on creating new types of grapes and raisins. Jack Pandol was a grape farmer. His family had been growing grapes for a long time.
Glen and Terrie Stoller owned a company called Sunridge Nurseries. This company provided grapevines to farmers. Their son, Craig Stoller, was the president. IFG worked closely with Jack Pandol's farm, Grapery, and the Stoller family's nursery.
The Story of Cotton Candy Grapes
Soon after IFG started, David Cain went to a trade show. There, he saw some grapes from the University of Arkansas. One type of purple grape tasted sweet, just like cotton candy! But it was very delicate and had tiny seeds.
IFG got the rights to this grape. David Cain then worked to make it better. He crossbred it with stronger California grapes. This made the grapes bigger and firmer.
In 2010, after many years of testing, IFG received a patent for the Cotton Candy grape. A patent means no one else can grow or sell this grape without IFG's permission. After that, IFG started allowing farmers to grow these special grapes.
In 2011, IFG's partner, The Grapery, began testing other new grape types. These included Sweet Sunshine, Sweet Surrender, and Sweet Celebration.
In 2018, IFG also started harvesting a new type of cherry called Cheery Grand. This cherry was grown in Chile and Australia.
By July 2020, IFG had created 40 different types of table grapes. David Cain, one of the founders, retired in 2020. Chris Owens became the new lead plant breeder. In 2021, IFG started building a new research center in McFarland, California. This was part of their 20th anniversary celebration.
How IFG Works
IFG creates new and unique types of fruits. They then get patents for these fruits. This means IFG owns the rights to these special plants.
IFG earns money by letting farmers use their patented fruit types. This is called "licensing." When IFG develops a new fruit, they apply for "plant variety rights" in different countries. This license allows farmers to grow and sell the fruits.
Creating a new fruit variety takes a lot of time and effort. For example, to breed seedless grapes, scientists have to carefully remove tiny embryos from the plant. Then, they grow these embryos in test tubes in a lab. It can take anywhere from six to fifteen years to create a brand new fruit variety!
IFG's Fruits
IFG develops many custom types of fruits. Their main focus is on grapes and cherries. They patent these fruits and then license them to farmers.
IFG's grapes come in red, black, and green colors. Some of their most popular fruits include:
- Cotton Candy grapes: These are their most famous grapes, known for their sweet, candy-like flavor.
- Sweet Celebration: These are crunchy, cherry-red, seedless grapes. They are large and ripen in the middle to late part of the season.
- Candy Hearts: These are sweet red grapes.
IFG also has other grape varieties with names that sound like sweet treats. As of July 2020, the company had developed 40 different types of grapes.
Where IFG Fruits Are Grown
IFG grapes are grown in many different countries around the world. These include the United States, Peru, Chile, Brazil, and Mexico. As of August 2018, IFG's grapes were being sold in 14 countries.
