CASTROVILLE, Calif. – Ocean Mist Farms is leveraging the timing of this year’s PMA Fresh Summit in Anaheim to emphasize its ability to work with retailers on holiday promotion planning.
“The date of Fresh Summit – end of October — is when our retail customers are planning their holiday ads and promotions,” said Kori Tuggle, director of marketing and business development. “Most of the items used for holiday promotions include our cooking vegetables such as celery, broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts.”
Brussels sprouts are the fastest growing item in the cooking vegetable category, Tuggle said. Ocean Mist Farms started growing the vegetable in 1924 and today is a major supplier to the retail channel.
“We are one of the largest growers of Brussels sprouts in the country,” Tuggle said. “There are a lot of suppliers, but often they are not the actual grower.” Click here to view Ocean Mist Farms’ Brussels sprout harvest video.
At PMA Fresh Summit, Ocean Mist Farms will launch new Brussels sprouts packaging with a 1-pound microwavable zip lock bag and a 2-pound cello club pack.
The microwavable Brussels sprout bag is an extension of the company’s microwavable-artichoke line that gives the consumer the option to open the bag and season the vegetables before cooking.
“Brussels sprouts were an overwhelming hot commodity with retailers last year. Based on data, demand is still growing,” Tuggle said.
Chef Tony Baker of Montrio Bistro in Monterey, Calif., created a menu that will feature Brussels sprouts in the Ocean Mist Farms’ booth, #4138, during the show.
On Saturday, the chef will serve roasted Brussels sprouts with double smoked bacon and white balsamic shallot vinaigrette in addition to “arti burgers” with Chipotle lime sauce.
On Sunday, the menu will replicate a holiday meal using Ocean Mist Farms cooking vegetables. Chef Baker will feature honey-baked ham with Ocean Mist Farms veggie stuffing, garlic cauliflower mash and cranberry fennel sauce garnish.
“At PMA we want to demonstrate the key holiday ingredients that we grow — and will be top of mind with consumers directly after the Fresh Summit — and that we are a resource for holiday planning by providing recipes, social media content, point of sale and more to our retail customers,” Tuggle said.
Although the company grows more than 30 vegetables, Ocean Mist Farms is the largest grower of fresh artichokes in North America. To underscore that message, Ocean Mist Farms’ mascot, Arti the artichoke, will participate in the 5K Race for Talent for the PMA Fit Foundation fundraiser on Friday morning.
For more information about Ocean Mist Farms, visit www.oceanmist.com.
About Ocean Mist Farms
Ocean Mist Farm’s growers are focused on meeting the needs of their customers and consumers. That means they are committed to the highest standards in the industry for quality, service, innovation, social responsibility and delivering year-round premium fresh vegetables. Ocean Mist Farms is four generations of family farmers who lead the artichoke category and are leaders in a full line of fresh vegetables.
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Source: Ocean Mist Farms
