Produce Innovation Award Winners Revealed
Five Produce Innovation Award Winners were honored June 22 at United Fresh 2016 at Chicago’s McCormick Place. This year’s honorees were chosen by show attendees from 49 contestants in five categories: Best New Food Safety Solution, Best New Fruit Product, Best New Packaging, Best New Packing/Processing Equipment and Best New Vegetable Product.
“This year’s Produce Innovation Awards had a record-breaking number of innovative competitors,” said John Toner, VP of convention and industry relations at Washington, D.C.-based United Fresh Produce Association. “The exceptional creativity of these five winners helped them stand out at United Fresh 2016, the home of fresh produce innovation.”
“Produce innovation starts at United Fresh,” added President and CEO Tom Stenzel. “The innovation of our member companies shape the entire produce industry, and show attendees have the unique opportunity to see that ingenuity up close at United Fresh. Congratulations to this year’s winners and thank you to all participants for showcasing your creativity.”
The 2016 Produce Innovation Awards Winners were:
- Best New Food Safety Solution: NatureSeal Inc., NatureSeal First Step+ 10
- Best New Fruit Product: Mucci Farms, Smuccies Sweet Strawberries
- Best New Packaging: Maglio Cos./The Fresh Group LTD, readyripe lite watermelon pouch
- Best New Packing/Processing Equipment: PerfoTec BV, Internet Fresh-Cut Flowers Flowpack for Home Delivery
- Best New Vegetable Product: Dole Fresh Vegetables, Dole Chef’s Choice Caesar Salad Kit