NEW YORK — From innovation to enduring brands, strategic acquisitions to year-round produce supplies, there was much to discuss at the 2024 New York Produce Show and Conference, which brought some 4,000 attendees and more than 300 exhibitors to New York City’s Jacob Javits Center, Dec. 10-12.
At the New York Produce Show, Mission Produce proved it aims to bring the same grab-and-go convenience to the mango category it has to avocados. The Oxnard, Calif.-based company showcased its four-count bag of mangoes, alongside bagged avocados, POS and more.
It’s convenient for the consumer; it’s convenient for the retailer; and it brings the club store experience to conventional supermarkets, Mission Produce’s Director of Marketing and Communication Diana McClean said of the new mango value pack set to hit retail shelves in January.
Prior to launching bagged mangoes, Mission Produce conducted research that revealed shoppers for this new product are already consumers of mangoes.
“That told us that rather than focusing on how to ripen and store mangoes, we could focus on recipes and usage,” said McClean of the packaging that features a QR code, which links to recipe ideas.
On the avocado front, “bagged avocados are where the growth in the category is,” said McClean.
As Mission Produce, which has distribution centers across the country, can now offer retailers surety of supply on both bagged avocados and mangoes, McClean said it marks “an exciting time” for the produce supplier.
Fresh Express sampled its Hot and Cold line of salad noodle meals that can be served hot or cold. The innovative line includes three flavors: Teriyaki, Korean Sesame and Asian Sweet Ginger.
“Every year we work with chefs to do something new and trending,” said John Olivo, president of Fresh Express. With the goal of perfecting the flavor profiles, the company also does extensive testing with consumer panels at its innovation center in Chicago, Olivo said.
Olivo says that with these new offerings, which can be prepared in less than five minutes, Fresh Express aims to create a new space in the value-added section.
Related: Fresh Express expands foodservice offerings with McEntire Produce acquisition
For D’Arrigo, which has teams in New York, Boston and California, the New York Produce Show is a time to gather all the teams to meet with suppliers. “This is a big information-gathering show for us as we prep for next year,” said Gabriela D’Arrigo of D’Arrigo New York.
The timing of the New York Produce Show coincided with the tail end of persimmon season, said John Pandol, who showcased the last of the season’s harvest.
At show time, Pandol Bros. was also transitioning from the last California grapes to Peruvian grapes. Then it’s onto Chilean grapes in week 52, followed by grapes from Mexico, said Pandol. Pandol also discussed peak blueberry season, which unlike years past, is now in the late fall due to the availability of low-chill varieties, he said.
At Sun Belle, a Frutura company, Chuck Fiorenzi shared the year-round organic and conventional berry and cherry capabilities of the company. Frutura now includes the Chicago-based Sun Belle and Giddings Fruit, a Santiago, Chile-based year-round supplier of organic and conventional cherries and berries, with packing operations in Mexico and South America.
“It’s an exciting time for Sun Belle,” said Fiorenzi. “Frutura is a very dynamic company and very invested in sustainability. There’s a lot of growth potential.”
Fiorenzi also shared the company’s new cherry program from Chile. Packed in 1-pound clamshells, he said they’re a “fantastic item to complement bagged cherries.” Sun Belle also showcased its Sun Select super premium jumbo cherries.
The New York Produce Show marked the first time Perricone Farms, a craft juice company in California’s citrus industry, and the Fort Pierce, Fla.-based juice company Natalie’s Orchid Island Juice Co. exhibited together. Perricone Farms acquired Natalie’s in September.
As Perricone is well-established in the foodservice sector, the company’s retail juice brand will be under the Natalie’s brand, said Natalie’s Michael D’Amato.
The union of the two juice businesses creates “coast-to-coast capabilities and efficiencies” as well as procurement opportunities, said D’Amato. “Better fruit makes better juice,” he said.
“Jersey Fresh is the oldest statewide branding for fruit and vegetables in the country that has quality attached to the brand,” said Joe Atchison. New Jersey grows some 140 different fruits and vegetables, offering retailers ample opportunity to promote in-store, Atchison said.
“All Jersey Fresh produce is always top quality — USDA No. 1 or better,” he said.
Your next read: Seen and heard at the 2024 New York Produce Show — Part 1
