RPE LLC, a year-round supplier of russet, red and yellow commodity and baby potatoes, will be a first-time exhibitor at the Canadian Produce Marketing Association Convention and Trade Show in Vancouver, British Columbia, April 23-25.
A full portfolio solutions provider of commodity, specialty baby and value-add potatoes, RPE is the exclusive sales representative, marketer and distributor behind the Tasteful Selections and Farmer’s Promise brands.
“We are off-the-charts enthusiastic about bringing retail solutions to Canada for the first time while featuring our high-performing, category-leading brands,” RPE Vice President of Business Development Drew Callaghan said in a news release. “RPE distinguishes itself with a full solution model supplying high-quality potatoes and onions 52 weeks a year across all sizes — organic and conventional — in all colors and formats.”
RPE says it has established diverse geographic grower partnerships that enable it to source, pack and distribute conventional and organic Canada-grown commodity and specialty potatoes to Canadian retailers. Its portfolio includes numerous differentiation opportunities for regional and national Canadian retailers aspiring to grow their categories, the release said.
“By expanding our supply base and logistics capabilities into Canada, our customers have more flexibility and diversity of supplies, as well as shorter distances in the supply chain to get potatoes and onions to the shelf,” Callaghan said.
On-the-shelf differentiation, showcased at CPMA and available from RPE, includes:
- Tasteful Selections 3-pound Mesh Pillow Pack baby potato lineup of Honey Gold signature flavor, Ruby Sensation red potatoes and a Sunburst Blend two-color option.
- Culinary product from Tasteful Selections: Potatoes Your Way, available in two broad-appeal flavors: Garlic Parsley and Zesty Italian Herb. Potatoes Your Way emphasizes meal prep convenience and eco-conscious sustainability, RPE says.
- A 52-week organic potatoes solution — for baby potatoes and A size — powered by expansive, certified partner grower acreage, a crucial opportunity for increased consumer consumption, according to the company.
- Various conventional commodity potato offerings are available in bulk and in 3-, 5- and 10-pound pack sizes. Russet, red and yellow potatoes are available in all four size formats.
Callaghan said RPE also may be a good fit for Canadian retailers who have been early adopters of sustainable supply chain sourcing solutions.
“RPE is an innovation, packaging solutions and sustainability leader,” said Callaghan, adding that the company was a 2022 Green Power Leadership Award winner for market influence by persuading grower partners to embrace clean, renewable energy sources to grow, pack and distribute fresh potatoes while participating in a Green-e program that certifies renewable energy.
RPE also emphasizes locally grown stories of farmers who produce and nourish Canada’s shoppers with healthy, fresh produce in the Farmer’s Promise and Tasteful Selections brands.
“As a company, we are the industry-facing representatives of our farmers and their families,” Callaghan said. “Our focus on local sourcing and telling our growers’ story is important to today’s consumer. We carry our farmer’s family story forward to the industry with a humble pride and support this value creation for our retailer partners.”
CPMA trade show attendees will find RPE representatives at booth No. 1617.
