Viva Fresh Gateway to Innovation finalists announced
The Texas International Produce Association has named the finalists for the first Gateway to Innovation Awards to be awarded at the Viva Fresh Expo.
The product finalists and winners will be on display on April 7 outside the expo hall in San Antonio, Dante Galeazzi, Texas International Produce Association president, said in a news release.
“We’ve created a unique and original display as a ‘wow’ moment for the Expo,” Galeazzi said in the release.
Expo attendees will vote April 7 for the best-of-show winner, including text and online votes. Winners will be announced at 3 p.m. For more information, see VivaFreshExpo.com.
There are eight inaugural Gateway to Innovation Awards categories.
Most Innovative Fruit Product:
- Marvelous Jackfruit as Meat Substitute, Cabefruit Produce, booth 97;
- Mission Minis (conventional/organic), Mission Produce, booth 28; and
- Winter Sweets, Lone Star Citrus Growers, booth 79.
Most Innovative Vegetable Product:
- Honey + Vinegar Golden Beets, Love Beets USA, booth 32;
- Lorabella Blossom “blissfully bright” tomato, Village Farms, booth 129; and
- Sunset Aloha Peppers, Mastronardi Produce, booth 146.
Most Innovative Fruit Packaging or POS Solution:
- Autumn Glory pouch bags, Domex Superfresh Growers, booth 5;
- Black Label, London Fruit, booth 67;
- Halos tree and tractor display, Wonderful Citrus, booth 82; and
- Winter Sweetz, Lone Star Citrus Growers, booth 79.
Most Innovative Vegetable Packaging or POS Solution:
- Cherto Gourmet Cherry Tomatoes on the Vine, Mucci Farms, booth 86;
- Sunset Sweet Bites Pail with Sunset Snack Pack, Mastronardi, booth 146; and;
- Veggies to Go, Mucci Farms, booth 86.
Most Innovative Value-Added Solution:
- Beet Salsa, Love Beets USA, booth 32;
- Hummus (homestyle/parsley/red pepper), Del Monte Fresh Produce, booth 149; and
- Sunset You Make Me Pasta Kits, Mastronardi.
Most Innovative Technology Application or Software:
- ALC Dock Scheduling, ALC Logistics, booth 38;
- Food Safety, ScanTech Sciences;
- Micro-budded, small tree, and higher-density citrus farming under HLB conditions by US Citrus LLC, booth 44; and
- Mucci International Logistics app, Mucci Farms, booth 86.
Most Innovative Product Solution:
- Food Safety, ScanTech Sciences.
Most Innovative Equipment:
- Pouch Bagger, Fox Packaging, booth 64.
