NEW YORK — From innovation to enduring brands, strategic acquisitions to year-round produce supplies, there was much to discuss at the 2024 New York Produce Show and Conference, which brought some 4,000 attendees and more than 300 exhibitors to New York City's Jacob Javits Center, Dec. 10-12.
It's convenient for the consumer; it's convenient for the retailer; and it brings the club store experience to conventional supermarkets, Mission Produce's Director of Marketing and Communication Diana McClean said of the new mango value pack set to hit retail shelves in January.
Prior to launching bagged mangoes, Mission Produce conducted research that revealed shoppers for this new product are already consumers of mangoes.
“That told us that rather than focusing on how to ripen and store mangoes, we could focus on recipes and usage,” said McClean of the packaging that features a QR code, which links to recipe ideas.
On the avocado front, “bagged avocados are where the growth in the category is,” said McClean.
As Mission Produce, which has distribution centers across the country, can now offer retailers surety of supply on both bagged avocados and mangoes, McClean said it marks “an exciting time” for the produce supplier.
“Every year we work with chefs to do something new and trending,” said John Olivo, president of Fresh Express. With the goal of perfecting the flavor profiles, the company also does extensive testing with consumer panels at its innovation center in Chicago, Olivo said.
Olivo says that with these new offerings, which can be prepared in less than five minutes, Fresh Express aims to create a new space in the value-added section.
Related: Fresh Express expands foodservice offerings with McEntire Produce acquisition
At show time, Pandol Bros. was also transitioning from the last California grapes to Peruvian grapes. Then it's onto Chilean grapes in week 52, followed by grapes from Mexico, said Pandol. Pandol also discussed peak blueberry season, which unlike years past, is now in the late fall due to the availability of low-chill varieties, he said.
“It's an exciting time for Sun Belle,” said Fiorenzi. “Frutura is a very dynamic company and very invested in sustainability. There's a lot of growth potential.”
Fiorenzi also shared the company's new cherry program from Chile. Packed in 1-pound clamshells, he said they're a “fantastic item to complement bagged cherries.” Sun Belle also showcased its Sun Select super premium jumbo cherries.
As Perricone is well-established in the foodservice sector, the company's retail juice brand will be under the Natalie's brand, said Natalie's Michael D'Amato.
The union of the two juice businesses creates “coast-to-coast capabilities and efficiencies” as well as procurement opportunities, said D'Amato. “Better fruit makes better juice,” he said.
“All Jersey Fresh produce is always top quality — USDA No. 1 or better,” he said.
Your next read: Seen and heard at the 2024 New York Produce Show — Part 1
