ATLANTA — From field to store, companies exhibiting at the International Fresh Produce Association’s 2024 Global Produce and Floral Show brought a bevy of updates to share with booth visitors.
While the outside of Sunkist Growers’ colorful, 100% recyclable corrugated cardboard booth grabbed attendees’ attention, there was more excitement inside as the grower cooperative highlighted a pair of initiatives.
The Sunkist i3 program is about “investing in technology, innovating with process and implementing with people,” said Cassie Howard, senior director of category management and marketing. The program involves supply chain improvements, such as growers being able to do citrus assessments on a smart device from the grove, as well as incorporating artificial intelligence into reporting tools so that Sunkist’s packinghouse, growers and sales team are more connected in terms of more accurate accounting, knowing when fruit will be available, sizing and more.
Sunkist is also partnership with the National Breast Cancer Foundation in the “Power with The Pink Orange” campaign for breast cancer awareness. Sunkist bags of cara cara oranges will feature limited-edition pink ribbon packaging with related merchandising materials as part of the campaign’s initiatives.
Looking ahead, Howard said there is anticipation and optimism around the state of the California growing season.
“It’s projected to be a good season,” she said.
Developments in traceability and sustainability were top topics of discussion at the Kwik Lok booth.
The company promoted its new bag closure labels bearing a 2D barcode designed to enhance traceability in accordance with food safety regulations. Kwik Lok has partnered with Trustwell to offer labels with advanced data capabilities of Trustwell’s FoodLogiQ Traceability software.
Kwik Lok’s Jordan James said using the closure labels as a vehicle for 2D barcodes can be a more efficient alternative to placing the scannable image directly onto packaging.
“If they’re putting a QR code on their package, typically on the bag, that’s often wasteful because you have to guess how much you’re going to produce,” James said. “This [closure label] allows you to eliminate waste because this is happening at the production level. We’re not ordering more or less; we’re producing the exact amount that you’re bagging.”
Kwik Lok also touted its sustainable materials such as its Enviro-Lok polypropylene bag closure and its ultrasonic-welded labels without adhesives.
Retail merchandising was a focus of Bland Farms’ booth.
The Glennville, Ga.-based grower-packer-shipper of Vidalia sweet onions has partnered with another Georgia-based company, Big Green Egg, for its Gameday Sweetness promotion, said Sloan Lott, director of sales for Bland Farms. The booth featured Gameday Sweetness bins and touched on a consumer giveaway featuring a Large Big Green Egg cooker as a grand prize.
Bland Farms also spotlighted its annual Go Pink promotion featuring pink packaging in October as part of its support for the Cancer Research Foundation.
Booth visitors got a look at Bland Farms’ holiday bins for Thanksgiving and Christmas, featuring a combination of sweetpotatoes and onions in one convenient spot for shoppers.
Back in the field, Bland Farms recently began its fresh crop sweetpotatoes in Georgia and North Carolina, said Sloan, who added that the grower is launching its Peruvian onion program after wrapping up an extended Vidalia onion season in early October.
There was good news for Envy apple lovers at the Oppy booth, with harvest beginning a week prior and set to conclude in about three weeks as of the time of the show, said Jon Kiley of Envy Apple Marketing.
Both color and sizing are good, he said, and while exact numbers won’t be known “until all of the bins are in the barn” — once harvest is complete — signs point to another good crop.
“It’s looking to be a similar crop to last year, and last year’s crop was 15% above what we normally have,” Kiley said.
The premium apple, touted for having a satisfying crunch and balanced flavor, has enjoyed consistent growth in recent years.
“We have loyal customers and loyal retailers that support the brand and appreciate the marketing efforts that Envy does. Oppy is a great sales partner for us, too,” Kiley said.
Lipman Family Farms featured an early look at its crinkle sweet peppers, featuring high flavor and bright red, yellow and orange colors.
“They’re perfect for grilling, barbecuing and salsa. They’re really good for summer outdoor events,” said Autumn Flaherty of Lipman Family Farms.
After debuting its Monet Red tomatoes last year, Lipman also featured its new releasing Mone Yellow, Mone Orange and Mone Medley tomatoes.
At the Fresh Del Monte booth, some of the talk focused on anticipation of its new red-shelled Rubyglow pineapple, which spent 15 years in development before its release. The limited-edition pineapple is set to arrive at U.S. retailers following a debut in China.
The booth also hosted a sampling of the recently introduced Del Monte Dessert Pudding Cups, said Nathalie Goudy. The line of refrigerated desserts featuring fresh-cut fruit comes in four flavors: Pineapple Streusel, Chocolate Berry Truffle, Mango Mix, and Apple Crisp.
“We’re quite excited about those. They’re quite delicious,” Goudy said.
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