EVERETT, Mass. — From new products to sustainability to organics, innovation filled the show floor at the New England Produce Council's 2024 Produce, Floral and Foodservice Expo, Aug. 19-20, at the Encore Boston Harbor Hotel and Casino.
Trinity Fruit Co. featured its Squeezed Juice Classic Yellow Lemonade; Squeezed Juice Pink Lemonade, which gets its color from a healthy splash of pomegranate juice; and its Squeezed Juice Green Lemonade — a blend of lemons, spinach and cucumber.
The juices are fresh squeezed from 100% California-grown fruit with no added water or sugar.
The lemonades join Trinity Fruit's other fresh squeezed juices, all of which stem from the fruit grower's sustainability and upcycling program, said Kristyn Lawson. Trinity has been farming fruit including pomegranates, stone fruit, mandarins and other citrus for 25 years and the juices were an avenue to make use of the whole fruit.
Tim Harrington of Stemilt showcased the new crop Rave apples and Cosmic Crisp apples. “We're ready to rock-and-roll with new crop apples this year at Stemilt, where there's a big focus on organics,” he said.
Stemilt also touted its Happi Pears from pear orchards in Washington state.
Robinson Fresh showed off its Welch's red and green grapes, available in seasonal packs, including back-to-school packaging and a fun “Brain Food” version for Halloween.
Fivestar Gourmet Foods' Brian Klekner talked salad kits made from clean, fresh ingredients.
Fivestar Gourmet Foods featured its chef-forward Deluxe Salad Kits that feature 25% more dressing and toppings that retail for $5.99.
“Where some companies are taking the size down from 16 ounces to 12 ounces, we went the other way. We're offering more at an affordable price,” Klekner said.
And like Fivestar's Salad Shakers, the Deluxe Kits feature a clean deck with fresh ingredients, Klekner added.
Yo Quiero sampled a variety of its handcrafted dips, including Hatch Chile Guacamole. “It's been insanely popular,” said Tara Murray of Fresh Innovations/Yo Quiero Brands.
Also on display was Yo Quiero's traditional guacamole, Avocado Egg offerings and Black Bean Dip.
“We continue to add more products that create a dips destination at retail,” Murray said.
Related:
The 2024 NEPC Expo kicked off with an opening reception filled with good food, live music and great conversation.
(Photo: Jennifer Strailey)
(Photo: Jennifer Strailey)
by Jennifer Strailey, Aug 26, 2024