Innovative Fresh Produce Packaging Leaders Earn PMA Impact Award

Four companies representing five new fresh produce products took top honors as the industry’s best packaging innovators for the 10th annual PMA Impact Award: Excellence in Packaging.

The winning companies, revealed during the Produce Marketing Association's (PMA) 2016 Fresh Summit Convention & Expo in Orlando, Fla., were recognized for exceptional produce and floral packaging that demonstrates innovation and makes an impact on consumers, and include:

• Mann Packing Co. Inc., Salinas, Calif., for its Nourish Bowls
• Mastronardi Produce Ltd./SUNSET, Kingsville, Ontario, for its Dill It Yourself Pickle Kit
• Mucci Farms, Kingsville, Ontario, for its CuteCumber Flow Wrap Re-seal
• Mucci Farms, Kingsville, Ontario, for its Smuccies Sweet Strawberries Top Seal Tray
• Ocean Mist Farms, Castroville, Calif., for its Season & Steam Sweet Baby Broccoli

A panel of judges – including Dr. Bob Whitaker, PMA’s chief science & technology officer; Kip Martin, director of produce and floral merchandising and training, Grocery Outlet, Emeryville, Calif.; Meg Major, chief content editor, Progressive Grocer, Chicago; Peter Goulet, founder and owner, Pinnacle Sales & Marketing Inc., Arlington Heights, Ill.; and Ron McCormick, senior director of sustainable agriculture, Walmart, Bentonville, Ark. – evaluated entries holistically, awarding points for excellence in five key areas: marketing, food safety, supply chain efficiency/functionality, sustainability and consumer convenience. The combined point totals from each of these areas determined the finalists and five packaging winners. 

The 15 remaining finalists were:

• Braga Fresh Family Farms, Soledad, Calif., for its Josie’s Organics Chopped Salad Kits
• Display Pack, Grand Rapids, Mich., for its Good Foods Grab & Go
• Fresh Solutions Network, San Francisco, for its Side Delights Flavorables
• Frieda’s Specialty Produce, Los Alamitos, Calif., for its Watermelon Radishes
• Mastronardi Produce Ltd./Sunset, Kingsville, Ontario, for its Sunset Organics 6-Ct. Pepper Bag
• Mucci Farms, Kingsville, Ontario, for its Fresh Mix Double Compartment Tray with Re-Sealable Label
• Mucci Farms, Kingsville, Ontario, for its Veggies-To-Go Clamshell
• Mucci Farms, Kingsville, Ontario, for its Tomato-X Clamshell
• NatureFresh Farms, Leamington, Canada, for its The TomBox
• NatureSweet, San Antonio, Texas, for its Constellation Tomatoes
• Naturipe Farms, LLC, Estero, Fla., for its “Selections” Cranberries
• Pure Hothouse Foods Inc., Leamington, Ontario, for its Cloud 9 - The Irresistible Tomato
• RPE, Inc., Bancroft, Wis., for its Tasteful Selections Season and Savor
• RPE, Inc., Bancroft, Wis., for its Tasteful Selections Take and Shake
• Taylor Farms, Salinas, Calif., for its Chef Crafted, Taylor Clear