MONTEREY, CALIF. — From sustainable packaging to grab-and-go convenience to functional mushrooms, the recent Organic Produce Summit 2023, held July 12-13, was on-trend and energy-packed
Sustainable packaging was on display at Morning Kiss Organic, which featured its solutions for limes and lemons that can be applied to other produce items, said Erica Putnam.
“The more people we can get on board with sustainable packaging, the more volume we create and everyone’s costs go down,” Putnam added.
As labor continues to present challenges to all types of foodservice operations, Local Bounti of Hamilton, Mont., has continued to expand its grab-and-go line of salad kits. The indoor grower recently added Memphis Style BBQ Chicken and Artisanal Chicken Caesar Salad Kits to its offerings, which already include a Modern Greek and Poppy Power Salad Kit.
“There’s a lot of opportunity to take more fresh, value-added convenience items into the foodservice space,” Aaron Sumption, senior vice president of sales for Local Bounti told The Packer.
Pretty Lady Vineyards featured its line of Pretty Lady Organic Red Seedless Grapes, Green Seedless Grapes and Black Seedless Grapes. New for the 2023 season, the Delano, Calif.-based company is offering its organic varieties in stand-up grab-and-go bags as well as boxes.
Suja showcased its new Organic Coffee Energy Shot, which RJ Aydelott says offers a crash-free energy boost thanks to the beverage’s balanced blend of six adaptogenic mushrooms and the caffeine equivalent of a half-cup of coffee.
LIV Organic Produce, which partners with growers throughout California, Washington, Oregon and Mexico, featured its organic citrus, hard squash, onions and potatoes. “We’ve seen new interest in organics,” said LIV Organic’s Carrie Briones. “Customers who haven’t carried organic in the past are now here [at OPS].”
At OPS, Cal-Organic Farms had just wrapped its summer watermelon program. “We haven’t done a lot with watermelon in the past, but we plan to expand,” said Cal-Organic Farms’ Jeff Huckaby, who added that customers are asking for watermelon. Huckaby also sees opportunities with organic potatoes. “Potatoes are exploding, especially in California, where we’ve seen a big uptick,” he said.
