How Our Dried Fruit’s Made — By the Women Who Make It Matter
Drying season at Tropical Harvest runs 6 to 8 months a year in Dimbulah, Far North Queensland.
Some of our fruit is grown right here on the farm. The rest comes from trusted Australian growers who share our standards for ripeness, flavour, and sustainability — it’s all part of our story.
Every batch — no matter where it starts — goes through the same hands-on process to meet our quality standards.
From orchard to dryer to dispatch, the same small crew oversees every step.
This is our core team — the women who stay year-round, manage the process, and keep everything moving. During peak season, they’re joined by extra hands — but this is the crew who form the backbone of Tropical Harvest.
Jenna
Second in Command — Operations Queen, Chaos Tamer, and Team Glue
Jenna joined in 2020, starting in the packing shed with mangoes and limes, then moved into the field — picking, fertilising, slashing... You name it.
She took time off to have her daughter, came back, and stepped straight into a leadership role — and we haven’t looked back since.
Now she runs our admin systems, handles customer enquiries, manages email support, and tracks inventory.
And yep — she still jumps on the floor when needed.
She also keeps Janelle sane — which might be her biggest achievement of all.
Jenna keeps the business running, the team connected, and the wheels turning — especially when things get busy.
Calm under pressure. Focused on detail. Trusted by everyone. She’s essential to everything we do.
Ati
Processing Room Leader — Slicer, Peeler, Prep Boss, and Quiet Force
Ati joined in 2022, originally working in the packing room with mangoes. When we took over Tropical Harvest, we needed someone to run the processing room — and we knew straight away: it had to be Ati.
Today, she leads the slicing and prep stage — making sure every piece is cut consistently, checked for ripeness, and laid out just right for drying. Not all of it is done by hand, but she’s the one who makes sure it’s done right.
Ati runs slicers, deskinners, and peelers to speed up the repetitive work and reduce strain — and she trains others how to use the equipment safely and efficiently.
She also handles quality control at the prep stage, removing any fruit that’s not up to standard, so only the best reaches the dryers. Working closely with Caitlin, she keeps the schedule flowing — always staying a step ahead.
It’s repetitive work, but also precision work — and Ati shows up every day with the same calm, steady care. From mangoes and limes to pineapples, bananas, and whatever’s next, she sets the pace for the prep line.
Quietly focused. Exceptionally reliable.
Behind every perfect piece is Ati — steady hands and sharp eyes.
Marie
Orchard & Field Operations Leader — Machinery Master and Paddock Boss,
Marie’s the one making sure the produce we grow starts strong — long before it ever reaches the dryers.
She manages the health of our mango and lime trees — running fertilising, irrigation, and year-round orchard maintenance. She’s also the go-to for machinery operation, field checks, and everything in between.
When harvest season rolls in, Marie leads the paddock crew — making sure fruit is picked at the right time, handled with care, and brought in fast.
And she doesn’t stop there. Marie also steps into the packing and processing rooms to help pack, so she sees the full process from tree to finished product.
Not all of the mangoes and limes we use are grown on-site, but the ones that are? Marie’s hands are on every stage — and her care shows in the quality.
Steady, skilled, and deeply committed — Marie brings pride and precision to every piece of fruit that begins in the orchard
Cherelle
Digital Operations & Support — Tech Wrangler and Digital Systems Brain.
Cherelle isn’t based in Dimbulah — but she’s woven into everything we do.
She runs the digital systems that keep Tropical Harvest moving behind the scenes: email automation, newsletters, social media, website updates, and tech troubleshooting.
She’s the one fixing those random “why won’t this load” moments, updating the site before anyone spots an issue, and making sure communication flows smoothly between the business and our customers.
As the daughter of Tropical Harvest’s previous owners, Cherelle brings both tech know-how and a deep understanding of the brand’s roots. Now she works closely with Janelle and Jenna to help grow Tropical Harvest and take it to the next level.
She may not be in the packing or processing rooms, but her work powers the digital side of Tropical Harvest —
keeping the website running, communication clear, and customers connected to our dried fruit.
Behind every smooth click, order, and update is Cherelle — the digital engine that keeps Tropical Harvest connected to you.
