Ocean Mist Farms says it won the 8th annual Joe Nucci Award at the New York Produce Show and Conference this week.
“It’s a very special honor for us to win this award, which is voted on by our industry peers, making it all the more poignant,” Chris Drew, president and CEO for Ocean Mist Farms, in a news release.
The award, which celebrates the “best product innovation in service of expanding fresh fruit and vegetable consumption,” was announced Wednesday and presented to Mark Munger, senior director of marketing for Ocean Mist Farms by Ken Whitacre, publisher of Produce Business and co-organizer of the New York Produce Show along with the Eastern Produce Council.
Among 10 new innovations — from microwaveable potatoes to sustainable packaging — Ocean Mist Farms’ new Roastables line took top honors, the release said. These convenient, ready-to-roast kits feature premium, halved Brussels sprouts sourced directly from the company’s fields. With a promise of convenience and flavor — without foregoing nutrition — these products have been very well received by customers and consumers alike. The initial offerings include 3 popular flavor profiles — Sweet Sesame, Lemon Caesar and Sun-Dried Tomato — all of which were sampled at the show.
“Accepting this award on behalf of Ocean Mist Farms is very special to me, both personally and professionally,” Munger said. “Joe Nucci was a friend and someone I greatly admired, and receiving an award bearing his name is deeply meaningful.”
With the initial launch proving successful, and knowing the new line is on-trend and in keeping with meeting consumer demand for nutritious and delicious meal options, Phase II and III of the line are already underway, the company said. Launch dates for the next Roastables, which will feature other fresh vegetable products grown exclusively by Ocean Mist Farms, are slated for spring and fall of 2025 respectively, the release said.
“We’ve made a significant investment in product innovation during our milestone centennial anniversary this year,” Drew said.
“Receiving this kind of recognition reinforces that we’re on the right track as we continue innovating into the future with time-starved consumers in mind, Drew added.
