Seen and heard at NEPC Expo 2024 — Part 5

EVERETT, Mass. — The New England Produce Council's annual Produce, Floral and Foodservice Expo — the council's “premiere event” — provides a “great opportunity for show exhibitors and attendees to share the industry's latest products and services,” says NEPC. Held Aug. 19-20 at the Encore Boston Harbor Hotel, this year's event was delivered on new products and more.

Ontario-based Fresh Taste Produce shared the news it plans to open a new facility in Vineland, N.J. The new facility will centralize sorting, said Andy Clarke, who added that the company is actively involved in sourcing housing for its workers at the facility.

“It's a very European approach,” said Clarke of the company's social responsibility efforts. “We want to be future thinking about our partnerships, and that includes setting standards for [how we support] our workers.”

The company also showcased its Sun Candy line of produce. A percentage of Sun Candy's proceeds fund a breakfast program for underserved children in Canada, Clarke said.

Marking its 100th anniversary, Ocean Mist Farms has much to celebrate. The company, which began as a grower of California artichokes, now offers an array of fresh produce. Today the company is strong in lettuce and romaine hearts, as well as value-added produce.

“Value-added is doing well and growing for us,” said Tom Botelho.

R&R Flaim Next Generation Produce is also celebrating an anniversary with 90 years in the produce business, said Jessica Salerno, who shared the company's move into wrapped produce for bell peppers, squash, cabbage and more. The company has the ability to customize its offerings to what the customer wants, she said.

Dole featured its newest salad kits, including Chopped Hummus Crunch Salad Kit, Chopped Spicy Cashew Salad Kit and Chopped Baja Ranch Salad Kit.

West Pak Avocado's Joe Nava talked about the advantages of Colombian avocados coming through the Port of Philadelphia, October through March-April. “It's a seven-day transit time from Colombia to Philly for imported produce,” he said. “It's extremely fresh.”

“We're here to meet with current and potential customers,” said Rod Bangert of North Bay Produce. “Everyone wants to know about the berry business, which started a little slow but should pick up soon.”

North Bay Produce offers an array of blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and strawberries.

The Oppy team showcased Envy and Jazz apples as well as Zespri SunGold and green kiwifruit, Ocean Spray Navels, grapes and berries.

Aurora Natural's Paul Bellacero spotlighted the company's all-natural nuts out of Connecticut, including Roasted Salted Mixed Nuts and Organic Walnuts.

Keystone featured its new crop sweet onions from Peru. “This show is an opportunity for us to see a lot of customers and potential customers in a short period of time,” said Michael Blume.

Giorgio Fresh is value-added focused, said Mark Leone, who pointed to the company's stuffed mushroom line extension and its Savory Sauté Kits, which include extra-large white mushrooms and either garlic butter or a tomato chipotle butter.

Leone said the company considers organic to be another way to offer a value-added product. “The consumer understands organic and is willing to pay a premium for it,” he said.

Related:

• Seen and heard at NEPC Expo 2024 — Part 1
• Seen and heard at NEPC Expo 2024 — Part 2
• Seen and heard at NEPC Expo 2024 — Part 3
• Seen and heard at NEPC Expo 2024 — Part 4