GOPEX 2024 seen and heard — Part 2
HOLLYWOOD, Fla. — GOPEX 2024, which explored the intersection of fresh produce and conscious consumerism with industry leaders from across the supply chain Jan. 22-24 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, also featured a vast array of new products and innovation on the expo floor.
Mariani Nut Co., a vertically integrated grower of walnuts and almonds, showcased its newest launch: Organic Whole Almonds and Organic Shelled Walnuts.
“These new products complement our existing line of all-natural nuts,” said Darryl Bollack.
“We’re the farm-to-table nut company,” added Bollack, who noted that honey roasted almonds have seen a resurgence of late.
Tal Shoshan discussed the fresh convenience of FiveStar Gourmet Foods' Simply Fresh Salad Shakers. The new patented bowl design features a lid that can be inverted, allowing consumers to shake all the ingredients inside to get dressing on every bite, said Shoshan, who added that Kim Kardashian has helped to boost the popularity of shakeable salads by eating them frequently on TV.
Perricone Farms featured its line of fresh juices, including orange, lemon, lime and apple. The juices have many applications in retail and foodservice, said Cassandra Hardick, who added that Perricone Farms does a great deal of private label, including providing the lemon juice for Shake Shack’s lemonade.
LUV’s Arturo Mendoza said the company is the biggest grower of avocados from the Dominican Republic, with 7,000 hectares under cultivation. Mendoza served up samples of a delicious smoothie made from a blend of LUV Soursop and avocados.
Cache Produce highlighted its organic program that includes Brussels sprouts, zucchini, yellow squash, grape tomatoes, cucumbers and bell peppers, as well as mini organic melons. “We’re close to year-round on the organic melons,” Elio Angel told The Packer.
Rafael Davila of Eurofins, a panelist on the "What You Need to Know About Food Safety Now" educational session at GOPEX 2024, shared news of the company’s expansion this year. Eurofins is a group of international life sciences companies that provide a range of analytical testing services to clients across multiple industries, most recently produce. Davila said the company is opening two testing facilities in California this year.
This year marks Pretty Lady Vineyards’ third year of organic offerings, said Chance Kirk. “We’re excited to have more coming on in the next couple years.”
“Weather has been a big factor,” said Ricardo Roiz of Franks Distributing, which owns more than 2,000 hectares of farmland in Sinaloa and Baja California Sur, Mexico. As a result, the company is at 70% to 80% of its daily capability but still able to fulfill all of its supply commitments, Roiz added.
At GOPEX, Franks featured its organic and conventional bell peppers, grape tomatoes, blueberries and mini peppers.
All American Produce showcased its some 25 different organic items, including squash, tomatoes, sweetpotatoes, mini sweet peppers and more. “Euro cukes are the No. 1 seller,” said William Augustine Jr.
More GOPEX 2024 coverage:
- GOPEX 2024 seen and heard — Part 1
- Scenes from GOPEX 2024 launch parties
- Connecting to the conscious consumer
- GOPEX panel breaks down the Strengthening Organic Enforcement rule
