When Gary Clevenger and Jesus “Chuy” Loza started Freska Produce six years ago, mangoes were still relegated to the back shelves of many grocery stores. Many Americans didn’t know — and still don’t — what the exotic fruit even is.

But Freska’s founders saw a market niche they thought they could fill. Their business now imports mangoes year-round and distributes them all over the U.S.

Both are men with agribusiness backgrounds, working together at Ventura-based fruit distributor Fresh Directions International.

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