Del Monte, Vistar Partner To Distribute Healthful Vending Items

CORAL GABLES, FL – Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A., Inc. announced today that it has entered into an agreement with VISTAR a division of Performance Food Group, the largest vending distributor, to distribute its new line of fresh fruit and vegetable vending line products across the country.

“VISTAR’s industry expertise, experience, and nationwide presence will help us accomplish our goal of providing our healthier snack alternatives in vending machines throughout the country,” said Del Monte Fresh Produce Vice President, Marketing Dennis Christou. “Together, we are committed to fighting the American obesity epidemic and we are convinced providing fresh fruits and vegetables in vending machines is a great start.”

VISTAR has more than 30 years of experience as a nationwide distributor for the vending industry with 23 distribution centers and 13 cash and carries across the country. VISTAR Vice President of Sales and Marketing Terry Touchton said Del Monte Fresh’s Vending line helps meet the growing need for wholesome and nutritious vending items.

“Del Monte has opened a new chapter in healthy vending with its specially designed packaged fresh fruits and vegetables which appeal to a variety of customers looking for a quick healthy snack in their vending machine,” said Touchton. “We are continually looking for product innovations and the opportunity to partner with such an iconic brand as Del Monte is something that we are all very excited about.”

The Del Monte Fresh Vending line includes whole bananas, pineapple chunks, apple slices, grapes, baby carrots, celery sticks and grape tomatoes. A few options come bundled with low-fat dips. Each item in the Fresh Vending line is all-natural and 140 calories or less.

The whole bananas are wrapped using Del Monte’s Controlled Ripening Technology that slows down the ripening process and keeps bananas fresh and yellow for five days, when kept at ambient conditions of 57- 60F. The Del Monte fresh-cut fruit and vegetable items can stay fresh for up to seven days.*

* When distribution and storage cold chain is maintained at 33°- 39°F.

Source: Del Monte Fresh Produce