TORONTO — Snacking, seasonality and new varieties were among the top trends at the recent 2023 Canadian Produce Marketing Association Convention and Trade Show in Toronto.
Naturipe Farms showcased its CPMA Best Snackable Product winner: Bliss Bento and Boost Bento. The Bliss Bento is available in three varieties, all of which contain blueberries paired with a combination of other snacks such as granola clusters, dark chocolate-covered chickpeas, and yogurt almonds.
“The Boost Bento is more of a meal and was designed for an eating experience,” said Naturipe Farms’ Steve Ware.
Boost Bento is available in two varieties: Boost Bento With Strawberries and Blueberries, Cinnamon Almonds, and White Cheddar Cheese; or Boost Bento With Grapes and Blueberries, Roasted Sea Salt Almonds and Sharp Cheddar Cheese.
Dole’s William Goldfield showcased the company’s Golden Selection Pineapple, which he describes as a newer, sweeter and more artisanal pineapple growing in Costa Rica. The Golden Selection represents 6% of Dole’s pineapple volume. “Demand has been fantastic,” Goldfield said of the pineapples that are carried by Trader Joe’s, Wegmans, Wakefern, Harris Teeter, H-E-B and others.
Zespri was eagerly anticipating the start of the new Sungold Kiwi season, set to begin shipping within days of CPMA. “All things are pointing up. It was a strong season,” said Zespri’s Chris Wilson. “The kiwi will be hitting stores soon.”
Pure Flavor showed off its snack-sized veggies — 4-ounce packs of tomato, mini peppers and mini cucumbers. The healthful snacks are part of Adopt-A-School, a program created to support health initiatives led by schools across North America by regularly providing fresh and nutritious snacks of greenhouse-grown tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers. Pure Flavor’s Chris Veillon said the greenhouse grower ships 3,000 to 4,000 of the snacks to schools each week.
Veillon also touted Pure Flavor’s growing portfolio of greenhouse-grown melons, including Alonna Canary Melons. “Consumers have been blown away by the Alonna,” he said.
Progressive Produce shared what’s in season, including organic valencia oranges and new crop grapefruit. “It’s a season of change now,” said Cory Stahl. “We’re moving along the coast and down to Mexico.”
Related: Seen and heard at 2023 CPMA Show — Part 1
Related: Seen and heard at 2023 CPMA Show — Part 2
Related: Seen and heard at 2023 CPMA Show — Part 3
