Seen and heard at 2023 CPMA Show — Part 3
TORONTO — From a fair trade dance party to a Hallmark actor partnership to sustainable packaging innovations, this year’s Canadian Produce Marketing Association Convention and Trade Show at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on April 26-27 offered something for everyone.
The team at Equifruit did what they do best: stop people in their tracks with an eye-popping shark graphic, dance party music and humor — all designed to engage would-be passersby in critical conversation around the importance of fair trade bananas.
“We’re trying to get people to stop in what is usually an autopilot experience of buying bananas,” said Equifruit President Jennie Coleman. “Part of our schtick is to grab their attention and then come in with the message of why growers need to be paid.”
Related: Equifruit’s Jennie Coleman named Globe and Mail Changemaker
Mastronardi Produce won Best Organic Product for its Queen of Greens line, which features creatively named greenhouse-grown greens including Raging Romaine, Lavish Leaf, Fierce Mix, Fearless Leaf and Spirited Spring Mix.
Mastronardi’s Julia Shreve also showed off the company’s Sunset-branded Honey Bombs and Sugar Bombs tomatoes. The line is so popular, “we can’t keep them in stock,” said Shreve, who added that convenience keeps growing and snacking “is where the flavor is.”
The company also touted its locally grown greenhouse lettuce line under its Backyard Farms brand. Launched in March 2023, the lettuces support growers in Florida and Colorado.
At the DelFrescoPure booth, Sonia Klinger displayed the Euro Bean. The long and lean DelFrescoPure greenhouse-grown Euro Bean can be steamed, stewed, sauteed or microwaved until tender. The versatile vegetable can be served as an appetizer, added to soups or eaten cold as a side salad.
Klinger added that DelFrescoPure’s attention-grabbing booth, with its fresh market feel, was designed to tell a story and show attendees that while the company has been in the industry for more than 65 years, it continues to innovate.
Continuing to innovate in the fiber-based sustainable packaging space, WestRock teased its WetTech wax alternative packaging. WestRock’s Sabrina Ford said the company can offer a variety of integrated solutions to best fit its customers’ sustainable packaging needs.
At the Oppy booth, Envy apples revealed its new partnership with apple enthusiast and Hallmark actor Andrew Walker, who is working with the brand to curate brunch recipes for Mother's Day. Among Walker's recommended dishes are No Bake Envy Donuts, Envy Avocado Toast, and Dessert Nachos with Envy.
“We continue to hear from retailers that the Envy apple brings shoppers back to the store,” said Cecilia Flores Paez, head of marketing, North America, for T&G Global Ltd. “It’s an apple that creates loyalty and repeat sales. When people discover Envy, they fall in love one bite at a time,” she added.
