Buzzing With Innovation
Technology, traceability and trends underscored United Fresh's recent confab.
When you hear lingo like “high-tech” and “cutting edge,” lettuce and carrots don't readily leap to mind. But at the United Fresh Produce Association's recent annual convention and expo in New Orleans, produce industry members continued to solidify their clout as vanguards of innovation and invention.
The event attracted more than 4,000 attendees — along with more than 100 expert speakers and some 250 exhibitors — from all points of the supply chain, all of them with their fingers on the pulse of what's hot in produce.
The topics of technology, traceability and trends dominated both the educational sessions and discussions out on the show floor, which housed both a Food Safety Demo Center and a Traceability & Logistics Demo Center. From fresh produce audits, to temperature moderation during transport, to microbiological testing of fresh fruits and vegetables, the United Fresh Show was abuzz with the latest research, information and new products designed to ensure the safest and freshest food supply.
Food safety was also on the mind of newly elected United Fresh chairman Reggie Griffin, corporate VP, produce and floral merchandising procurement for The Kroger Co. in Cincinnati, who affirmed for event attendees that “there's a revolution,” if not “a tsunami, coming in food safety regulation that is likely to change our industry forever.” Griffin noted that a spirit of collaboration among produce industry members would be the key to meeting the onslaught and other pressing issues, including the “anti-immigrant mood” in the United States, that could negatively impact the produce workforce and the regulatory costs threatening the industry's profitability.
Produce industry ambassadors also celebrated the leadership role United Fresh has taken to improve the health and nutrition of young Americans. At a press conference on the show floor, the United Fresh Foundation revealed its donation of salad bars to 33 New Orleans schools. United Fresh, which has pioneered the nationwide adoption of school fruit and vegetable salad bars, is a founding partner of the “Let's Move Salad Bars to Schools” initiative, part of First Lady Michelle Obama's “Let's Move!” campaign to reduce childhood obesity. Twenty-six produce companies teamed with United Fresh to make the salad bars possible.
Trends at a Glance
A stroll among the cases spotlighting the United Fresh New Product Award finalists revealed the groundbreaking innovation that defines today's produce industry. The finalists in each category were on display for the two days of the United Fresh 2011 trade show, and the winners were selected by votes cast by show attendees. This year's New Product Award winners were selected in six categories from a record 34 finalists.
Best New Packaging went to the Bushberry Packaging System from Watsonville, Calif.-based Sambrailo Packaging. Best New Food Safety Solution was awarded to Salinas, Calif-based New Leaf Food Safety Solutions for its SmartWash. Belgium-based Best's Primus Gemini, meanwhile, earned the nod for Best New Processing Equipment for its fresh berry sorter, while the Best New Fruit Product went to Sun Drops Grape Tomatoes from Mucci Farms in Kingsville, Ontario, and Naples, Fla.-based Naturipe's Berry Quick Blueberry Snacks. Volm Cos. Inc., based in Antigo, Wis., received the Best New Packing/Packaging Equipment award for its Volmpack Uitrek 320 Vertical-Form-Fill-Seal Bagger. Finally, in the Best New Vegetable Product category, Leamington, Ontario-based Pure Hot House Foods Inc. took home top honors for its Pure Flavor Grill Ready Vegetable Mix.
HealthySnack Attack
Americans love their snacks, and if the United Fresh 2011 show is any indication, the produce industry is poised to win over consumers with healthful, convenient and fun alternatives to potato chips and pork rinds.
Wholly Guacamole, which has joined forces with reality-TV darling “The Biggest Loser” to offer “Biggest Loser”-endorsed 100-calorie packs of guacamole, served up samples of its most popular varieties, including a new spicy guacamole with 20 vitamins and minerals. Wholly Guacamole VP of retail operations Jay Alley is thrilled with the response from the “Biggest Loser” partnership. “Our website went crazy,” noted Alley, of the reaction immediately following the company's appearance on an episode of the show earlier this year. Wholly Guacamole, manufactured by Sagninaw, Texas-based Fresherized Foods, now has more than 100,000 Facebook fans.
Crunch Pak, based in Cashmere, Wash., also displayed a dizzying array of portable, convenient snack items for calorie counters, including 80-Calorie Sweet Apples with Low-Fat Caramel Dip, 80-Calorie Tart Apples with Low-Fat Caramel Dip, and 50-Calorie Carrots with Ranch Dip.
Charlotte, N.C.-based Tropical Nut and Fruit made a splash with its York's Harvest Garden Chips. A United Fresh Best New Vegetable Product finalist, the “chips” come in three varieties: Green Beans, Mixed Vegetables and Okra.
Produce sourcing and logistics company C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc., based in Eden Prairie, Minn., showed off convenient and healthful snacking and side dish solutions with its Rosemont Farms branded Sugar Snaps Snack Pak, featuring five packs of snap peas and five packs of hummus, or five packs of snap peas with five packs of ranch dressing. Also on display was new Rosemont Farms Sweet 'N Ready corn. The four-pack caddy contains individually wrapped ears of corn that cook perfectly in the microwave either four at a time or individually.
Salinas, Calif.-based Colorful Harvest, part of Green Giant Fresh, introduced its Heirloom Carrot Snack Chips, a line offering five 3-ounce packets of rainbow-hued heirloom carrots in a convenient grab-and-go clamshell.
Billed as an alternative to the afternoon caffeine boost, the new Chiquita Duos from Cincinnati-based Chiquita Brands International Inc., are combinations of exotic juices and fruits that “give you a natural lift without any sugar added to slow you down.” The 100 percent juice-and-fruit combos contain no sugar, artificial sweeteners, artificial colors or added flavors. These 100-calorie snacks come in a variety of flavors, including Pear Blueberry Pomegranate, Pineapple Banana, Pineapple Guava and Peach Mango. Each package also comes with a spoon under the lid.
Salinas, Calif.-based Mann Packing Co. showcased its Snacks on the Go! multi-packs that are positioned as convenient snacks just the right size for backpacks, lunchboxes and gym bags. Each multi-pack contains five single-serve snack bags of Apple Slices, Carrot Chips or Sugar Snap Peas.
Irwindale, Calif.-based Ready Pac's new line of Salad Singles (a United Fresh Best New Product finalist) is an eat-on-the-go powerhouse. Each salad contains fewer than 200 calories, plus toppings, dressing and a fork, allowing consumers to simply pop open a bowl and enjoy. The salads come in four varieties: Garden, Caesar, Fiesta and Spinach Dijon.
Kid Craze
Produce companies have realized that big customers come in little packages. A slew of exhibitors debuted new products and services with kid-friendly packaging and the lunchbox set in mind.
Sherman Oaks, Calif.-based Sunkist, which introduced its new Gold Nugget Variety Mandarins — a late-season seedless mandarin distinguished by its bright-orange flesh and rich flavor — also captured attention for its Sunkist Smiles Clementines and California Mandarins, featuring bright packaging with smiling children. Marketed as a “perfect lunch box item,” these seedless small fruits are easy to peel.
Burlington, Wash.-based AMF Farms, whose signature individually painted Pumpkin Patch Pals and grab-and-go pumpkin decorating kits are perennial favorites, promoted its “Hip to be Fit” produce video designed to be a teacher's aid in showing kids a fun way to be fit and healthy.
Del Monte Fresh Produce Inc., based in Coral Gables, Fla., has created an entire line of Grab n' Go products to meet the growing demand for convenient, fresh and healthy snacks. Its most recent introduction to the line is Del Monte 4 Pack Fresh Cut Fruit Cups, an all-natural product that contains no preservatives, additives or sweeteners, making it a slam-dunk for kids' lunches and health-minded adults on the go. Del Monte also touted a new promotion, “Teacher Monday, Cash for Classrooms.” Part of a Del Monte effort to get schoolchildren across North America to eat more healthfully, the second annual online contest, slated to run this October and November, will award 60 teachers cash prizes to purchase school supplies and fresh fruit for their students. To be eligible to win, teachers must register and submit a short essay on how they'll incorporate healthy eating messages into their lesson plans.
Category Spotlight: Onions and Garlic
Brilliant Bulbs
AMERICA IS SWEET ON ONIONS AND GARLIC
BY JENNIFER STRAILEY
It's sweet-onion season, and consumers are buying up bulbs to flavor everything from barbeques and baked dishes to salsas and sauces. According to the Greeley, Colo.-based National Onion Association (NOA), the U.S. per capita consumption of all types of onions is about 20 pounds peryear. In other words, 380 semi-truck loads of onions are put to use across the country each day.
One of the reasons onions, and their close relative garlic, are so popular is that they're not only flavorful, but they're also nutritious. NOA notes that onions contain the antioxidant flavonoid quercetin, also found in tea and apples, which is known for its ability to eliminate free radicals in the body.
While a variety of onions and garlic are available year-round, spring and summerare sweet-onion season. To learn what retailers can do to maximize sales of this seasonal specialty, PG turned to Suzy Loonam, director of marketing for the Melbourne, Fla.-based Sweet Onion Trading Co. “For the most attractive displays, stack all onions in the same way: stem end up or root end up,” she says. “Display onion varieties in striking blocks of color and shape, and restack and restock sweet onions on the root table at least three times a day, as sweet onion displays are the most frequently affected by shoppers.”
As sweet onions complement an array of other products in the produce department, Loonam suggests cross-merchandising them with tempura for making onion rings, avocados for preparing guacamole, and tomatoes for fresh salsa.
John Shuman, president of Shuman Produce, a Reidsville, Ga.-based grower and shipper of RealSweet Vidalia onions, also recommends ramping up cross-merchandising efforts at this time of year. “Secondary displays are key in the summer, as so many opportunities are available for cross-merchandising through various holidays and the availability of great outdoor weather for grilling,” says Shuman, adding that it's also “important to display product information and tips on how to best use the product.
“Displays drive sales,” continues Shuman. “The best way to promote Vidalia onions during the summer months is to place the onions in a large, noticeable display in the center of the produce section.” He also encourages retailers to use both bulk and bagged Vidalia onions in their displays to offer consumers a variety of options.
NEWS FROM AROUND THE BULB
Duda Launches Vidalia Facebook Promo
Duda Farm Fresh Foods of Oviedo, Fla., has launched a new Facebook promotion designed to drive consumer demand for Vidalia sweet onions by sharing recipes and ideas for everyday use of the seasonal produce. Through the Dandy Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Facebook page, each week Duda presents “Sweet Vidalia Recipe Rescue,” which offers new recipe ideas for every meal of the day.
“Dandy Vidalia sweet onions are peak of season, and we aim to educate consumers with regard to the product's versatility,” said Nichole Towell, marketing development manager for Duda Farm Fresh Foods.
As part of the promotion, Duda is giving away a Dandy Vidalia onion rescue gift basket to one fan each week through July 30. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/dandyfreshproduce.
Spice World's 'Minced' Squeeze
Orlando, Fla.-based Spice World Inc. has created an innovative, all-natural and convenient new garlic product: Squeeze Minced Garlic. This table-ready product is not only fantastic in cooked dishes, but it's also a flavorful condiment that can be used straight from its squeezable package. Fat-and sodium-free, Squeeze Minced Garlic comes in 9.5-ounce and 20-ounce containers. Available in attention-grabbing shipper/displays, the product is a natural for summer promotions, including grilling, picnics and tailgating.
The Vidalia Onion Museum Celebrates Grand Opening
The Vidalia Onion Committee (VOC) recently marked the grand opening of the Vidalia Onion Museum. “We have worked for five years to unearth each unique layer of the Vidalia onion story, and then portray those layers creatively for visitors,” says VOC executive director and museum chair Wendy Brannen of the newly opened exhibits.
Owned by the city of Vidalia, Ga., and housed in the same building as the VOC, the Vidalia Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, and the Vidalia Onion Business Council, the new 1,300-square-foot museum space features an array of educational and interactive exhibits that highlight the sweet onion's economic, cultural and culinary significance.
Located at 100 Vidalia Sweet Onion Drive, the Vidalia Onion Museum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, with Saturday hours available for tours. For more details, visit www.vidaliaonion.org or call 912-538-8687.
Produce at Every Meal
Westlake Village, Calif.-based Dole Fresh Fruit Co. was one of a number of produce companies promoting nontraditional times of day for serving produce. “Bananas are more than breakfast and lunch,” said Bil Goldfield, communications manager for Dole Fresh, who noted the company's plans to launch a banana grilling campaign through Facebook, Twitter ads, POS and radio spots in select markets.
At Avocados from Mexico, meanwhile, marketing director Emiliano Escobedo reported on an initiative “targeting dayparts” to increase avocado consumption in the United States. Specifically, Avocados from Mexico is going after breakfast, promoting wraps made with eggs and avocados, and smoothies featuring the fruit.
High-tech Innovation
CHEP, the global leader in pallet and container pooling services, also revealed news from its parent company, Sydney, Australia-based Brambles Ltd., about its acquisition of IFCO Systems, which operates a pool of more than 116 million RPCs (reusable plastic containers) globally that are used primarily to transport fresh produce from producers to grocery retailers. CHEP's other big news in the Big Easy was its newly operational pallet test track. The facility, located in Orlando, Fla., allows CHEP and its customers to replicate the demands on pallets in transit and then customize them for optimal functionality, based on the findings. A live webcam monitors the simulation exercises.
Sustainable, sleek and user-friendly packaging made for a winning combination on display by Lenexa, Kan.-based Robbie Manufacturing Co. Its Fresh N Tasty Produce Pouches are designed to increase impulse sales in the produce department through colorful, eye-catching graphics that can be customized to a particular brand. Printing is available in up to 10 colors of line or process print. But Robbie packaging is more than good looks: Its modified-atmosphere packaging (MAP) features state-of-the-art laser micro-perforation technology that controls the oxygen transmission rate of the package structure, thus slowing the respiration of the produce inside.
Track Stars: Traceability and Food Safety
From packages featuring smartphone scannable codes to pallets embedded with monitors that track every move a fruit or vegetable makes from the farm to the produce department, traceability and food safety were the hottest of the hot topics at United Fresh 2011.
Fresh food traceability solutions expert HarvestMark debuted its “Daily Shopper” program, which monitors among other things, the visual quality of produce items at retail. HarvestMark teams visit stores around the country, capturing from tens to hundreds of data points about a particular produce item for customers. The system can determine, for example, how well certain packaging performs and ultimately trace produce from the store back to the field. Elliot Grant, chief marketing officer for Redwood City, Calif.-based YottaMark's Harvest Mark, noted that Daily Shopper is a boon for retailers and consumers alike. “Research has shown that consumer preference goes up 12 percent for a product that is traceable,” he said.
Meanwhile, Santa Clara, Calif.-based Intellefiex presented its iGPS All-Plastic pallets featuring temperature monitoring for tracking perishable foods. iGPS pallets include integrated Intelleflex temperature tags that allow users to categorize perishable foods by specific product qualities such as remaining shelf life, locate product in the warehouse and monitor product temperature conditions using wireless automated data collection — all without any unpacking or the necessity of unloading the pallets.