The most frequent question the clients of Fresas del Volcan (Volcano Strawberries) used to ask, as they wanted to eat the fruit as soon as they bought it, was if the strawberries had been washed. To address this need, the company's owner, Alvaro Amador decided to sell them in a more hygienic and attractive presentation.
Visitors to either of the business' stores can buy strawberries in a plastic cup, cut, washed, and with condensed milk or chocolate, ready to eat. The lid prevents spilling the product and allows you to start eating the product as soon as you buy it.
Visitors to either of the business' stores can buy strawberries in a plastic cup, cut, washed, and with condensed milk or chocolate, ready to eat. The lid prevents spilling the product and allows you to start eating the product as soon as you buy it.
"It's really just a plastic cup like the ones used by other companies, but it has allowed us to give our clients the clean and ready to eat product they've been asking for," said Amador.
Fresas del Volcan has been around for 15 years but it was a year ago that they introduced the cup presentation. Amador says the initiative has enabled them to increase sales and works as a hook for people to get a look at the other products.
Besides selling strawberries in a cup, they also sell them washed and in a box, as well as selling cheese and a variety of crafts and souvenir style clothing. Even thought most of their income comes from the sale of clothing, the strawberries are what makes clients visit their stores.
The first store is located on the road to the Poas Volcano (after the junction of Poasito, 3 km from the volcano) and the second one is at the junction to Vara Blanca. This year, the family's business goal, as they are the sole partners, is to open another one in downtown Vara Blanca.
Amador said that they had begun to produce their own strawberries years ago but, as it hadn't been profitable, they had opted to buy them from three suppliers in the area.
