Seen and heard at IFPA's Global Produce and Floral Show 2024

ATLANTA — At this year's International Fresh Produce Association's Global Produce and Floral Show, vendors brought a mix of innovation and tradition to the forefront.

With rebranding efforts, apples, potatoes and tropical fruits top-of-mind, these vendors highlighted their strategies to meet consumer demand for fresh ideas and forward-thinking approaches.

Rebecca Catlett is shown at the Arctic apples booth. (Photo: Jill Dutton)

Arctic apples showcased its nonbrowning, bio-engineered sliced apples that do not require refrigeration and remain fresh for 28 days without browning, said Rebecca Catlett.

“What we're featuring, really, is to show that we're not just an apple company; we're also scientists; we're also growers; we're also the processors and partners with Arctic apples, Catlett said. "Although we're featuring the apples, there's so much more to it than that."

Catlett said the apple innovation reduces waste and increases consumption, making them ideal for foodservice and retail use, adding that these do not have an aftertaste from additives like citric acid.

Arctic apples are particularly popular in foodservice due to their nonbrowning property, eliminating the need for additional treatment and labor, Catlett said, adding that the apple aims to differentiate itself by being a favorite ingredient rather than a branded product.

Kelly Turner is shown at the Michigan Potatoes booth. (Photo: Jill Dutton)

“We're here to market fresh potatoes grown in Michigan,” Kelly Turner said at the booth for the Michigan Potato Industry Commission, which had two primary focuses at the expo: continue to build relationships with current buyers and see if there are new buyers that could be introduced to Michigan potatoes.

“We're looking both nationally and locally, and this show gives us access to both markets,” Turner said.

Turner said one benefit to Michigan-grown potatoes is the climate.

“It allows us to store them year-round so we can supply them year-round," she said.

Natasha Lichty and George Shropshire are shown at the Offshoot Brands booth. (Photo: Jill Dutton)

Natasha Lichty and George Shropshire were promoting Offshoot Brands and its mission to make healthy eating as easy and fun as possible by “growing better-for-you-brands.”

At the expo, the company featured its plant-forward partner brands including Veggie Confetti pickled vegetables, Love Beets beet products, Authentic Coconut, Mission Loop juices and Fresh Face Foods whole-food solutions.

Lichty said the company has a few new products, such as Veggie Confetti, which consists of individually packaged pickled cucumbers, cabbage, carrots, jalapeños or onions.

“The bold colors and flavors elevate the sandwich or stir-fry,” Lichty said.

The company also debuted its new brand, Fresh Face Foods, which includes four flavors of coconut trail mix and two flavors of artichoke hearts.

Shown from left are Kevin Coronado, Sandra Longoria, Brenda Covarrubia and Cynthia Hernandez at the SiCar Farms booth. (Photo: Jill Dutton)

“SiCar Farms is the largest importer of Mexican limes,” said Kevin Coronado at the company's booth, adding that it also supplies seasonal oranges and lemons and is branching into a pepper program that will include jalapeño, serrano, poblano and tomatillos year-round.

In addition, it manages other small commodities.

“We're trying out yellow cherries. We're starting to produce them and get them into stores. They're a thicker-skinned cherry, chewy and have great flavor,” Coronado said.

The supplier also has year round coconut, jicama and papaya.

Jose Bernal is shown at the Sweet Seasons booth. (Photo: Jill Dutton)

Seen and heard at IFPA's Global Produce and Floral Show 2024 — Part 13

Seen and heard at IFPA's Global Produce and Floral Show 2024 — Part 13

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