Partnership expands Tasti-Lee Tomatoes to Western U.S.
Western U.S. availability of Tasti-Lee Tomatoes is expected to rapidly grow in 2019, in a partnership with Flavorful Brands and The Produce Exchange/Lipman Family Farms.
The tomatoes, supplied by a consortium of growers in the Western U.S. and Mexico, will start shipping in December, in bulk and packages, to Western retailers. Flavorful Brands, a new partnership with Bejo Seeds (which owns the licensing rights to the Tasti-Lee seeds), LHF Inc. and Marrero Ventures Inc., is working with The Produce Exchange and Lipman to build a year-round supply of the tomatoes, according to a news release.
Other “garden flavor” premium tomatoes are planned through the partnership. Flavorful Brands manages the tomato brand and licensing of Tasti-Lee production, distribution and sales, according to the release.
“We believe that this partnership will benefit growers, distributors, retailers and consumers,” Sam Jones Jr., general manager of The Produce Exchange, said in the release. “Tasti-Lee is a great-tasting and slicing tomato that we know people will love. We are excited to be able to bring this product to retailers and consumers in the West.”
Tasti-Lees are known for their deep-red color because of high lycopene content, and a long shelf life, according to the release.
“(The Produce Exchange) is a premier and well-respected tomato distributor and we are excited to be able to partner with them to bring Tasti-Lee tomatoes to the Western US.,” Chris Lindley, CEO of Flavorful Brands, said in the release. “We believe that our distributor partners are key to our growth and believe that the right partners will help us maintain our high-quality standards to deliver great tasting produce to retailers and consumers.”
According to Flavorful Brands, Tasti-Lee tomatoes are distributed by Flavor1st Growers and Packers Inc., Tomato Thyme Corp., Lucky’s Real Tomatoes Corp., Wholesale Produce Supply LLC and The Produce Exchange.
At the Produce Marketing Association’s Fresh Summit Oct. 19-20 in Orlando, Fla., Lipman is at booth No. 1728 and Flavorful Brands is at No. 3619.
