MONTREAL — Innovation, Canadian-grown and -owned, and produce that plays well in both cooked and raw dishes were all on display at this year's Canadian Produce Marketing Association Convention and Trade Show, which took place April 8-10.
At the Oppy booth, Sun Grape California's Rino Felicioni said its 50-50 partnership with British Columbia-based Oppy — a grower, marketer and distributor of fresh produce — has led to a strong team behind the brand and a consistent supply of high-quality grapes. The Canadian-owned table grape grower farms 1,500 acres in California and moves 2.5 million boxes of grapes each year, said Felicioni.
As many Canadian produce consumers have responded to the recent U.S. tariff threats by making it a point to buy Canadian fruits and vegetables, Sun Grape California has launched a new package that calls out its Canadian ownership.
“We're really targeting Canadian consumers,” said Felicioni, who added that about half of Sun Grape's business is Canadian.
With the new partnership, Oppy will expand its year-round reach in Peru, Brazil, Chile, South America and Mexico.
Mastronardi Produce showed off its new strawberry-shape Secilia tomatoes and Canadian-grown Sunset Summer Delight strawberries, which have a “classic strawberry flavor,” said Amanda Orr.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the company's Campari cocktail tomato, and Orr said Mastronardi will celebrate with anniversary-themed packaging and in-store promotions throughout the year.
The company also featured its Bombs Squad tomato-on-the-vine medley, Aloha peppers, and Backyard Farms green leaf lettuce in a new resealable bag packaging, which won CPMA's 2025 Packaging Innovation Award.
Bolthouse Fresh Foods is making eating carrots easy and delicious for consumers through a range of products, including Bolthouse Fresh Foods Carrot Shakers — baby carrots with seasoning packets that are available in Dill Pickle, Chili Lime, and Ranch flavors, said Karen White, vice president of marketing. The line took home CPMA's 2025 Best Snackable Product Award.
“This value-add product combines freshness and excitement,” said White.
The company also showcased its Bolthouse Fresh Sizzlers Carrot Side Dish, which features crinkle-cut carrots with one of three sauce kits: Garlic Herb, Sweet Honey Heat or Herb Vinaigrette. Sizzlers can be prepared in minutes in either a skillet or air fryer, White said.
“Rocco Reds are a great cooking tomato,” said Julia Shreve of Pure Flavor. “Its color is so vibrant all the way through the tomato.”
Pure Flavor also showcased its Woka stir-fry cucumbers that are lower in water content and have a firmer exterior than traditional cucumbers. And while they can be eaten raw, “they really sine in a cooked dish like an Asian stir-fry,” said Shreve.
Pure Flavor recommends adding Woka cucumbers at the end of the dish so the cucumbers retain their crunch.