ANAHEIM, Calif. — The International Fresh Produce Association's bustling Global Produce and Floral Show brought together members from the fresh produce supply chain from more than 60 countries and featured over 1,160 exhibiting companies, including 157 first-timers, according to the IFPA.
From left, Ashley Yager and Liza Garcia celebrate their sustainability award.
The Packer was chatting with Ashley Yager at the Alpine Fresh Hippie Organics booth, when it was announced over the loudspeaker that the company won Best Sustainable Packaging for its fully home compostable bags from among the 245 entries in this year's Fresh Ideas Showcase.
“This is so exciting,” said Yager, taking in the proud moment.
Mastronardi Produce's Julia Shreve holds the award-winning Sunset Summer Dream Raspberries.
Congratulations were also in order at Mastronardi Produce, which won Best Product Promo in the Fresh Ideas Showcase for its Sunset Summer Dream Raspberries.
“We're so excited to see how this came together and made an impact for Summer Dream Raspberries, a high-Brix, proprietary variety,” said Julia Shreve.
The company supported the brand with an array of fun and colorful promotions, including a Summer Dream-branded Lamborghini parked in front of the show, a drawing to win a longboard, and scores of additional elements to support the launch, Shreve said.
Pure Flavor brought its biggest team ever to this year's IFPA show.
“Our explosion on the mergers and acquisitions side of the business pushed us forward this year and strengthened our brand presence,” said Chris Veillon. “We've had lots of positive conversations at this show. Our brand is recognized as a leader in the greenhouse space — we launched three commercial greenhouse-grown melons this year. No one else does that.”
At the global show, Pure Flavor showcased its newest greenhouse-grown Oronai Charentais melons and its tropically sweet and juicy Tiki Tomatoes, which recently received the Superior Taste Award Certification from the International Taste Institute in Brussels, Belgium.
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Andrea Montagna and Deanna Jurgens talk meal kits and more at the IFPA show.
Bonduelle Fresh Americas showed off its new Ready Pac Bistro Meal Kits available in three flavors: Teriyaki & Rice, Chipotle & Quinoa, and Basil Pesto & Pasta.
“We've had a really good retail response,” said Andrea Montagna about the kits. “They allow consumers to feel proud that they're preparing a fresh meal, but without the time and effort involved in making something from scratch.”
The kits, which feed two people, contain generous portions of vegetables and other premium ingredients for a restaurant experience at a retail price point. The kits sell for $8.99-$9.99 each.
The team at Sunkist highlighted “The Power Orange,” its cara cara oranges that are orange on the outside and pink on the inside.
“It's a super sweet, uniquely pink orange,” said Garrett Stolz.
Also on tap at the Sunkist booth were dynamic packaging options including a newly designed display bin for its Heirloom Navel that allows retailers to leave the oranges in the carton and drop the cartons into the bin. The company also featured a new Year of the Dragon display bin for Lunar New Year.