NatureSweet Cherry Tomatoes – Same Great Taste, New Packaging

San Antonio, TX and Azusa, CA– NatureSweet Ltd, North America’s largest grower of greenhouse tomatoes, is transforming its cherry tomato packaging while keeping the company’s commitment to provide the best tasting cherry tomatoes, year round. The new package, which is developed in close collaboration with Direct Pack, Inc. Calif., offers enhanced product visibility, better protection, improved merchandising and an extended shelf life, compared to the current packaging. Importantly, it is more sustainable than the previous red mesh bag, qualifying for a #1 recycling symbol. The new package will hit store shelves in early October.

“Our criteria in choosing the new packaging included the need to protect the overall product quality while creating a compelling, consumer-friendly pack at retail,” said Kathryn Ault, NatureSweet director of marketing. “Together with Direct Pack we have developed a package that not only delivers against all the criteria our consumers say is most important to them, but it also gives them an even better experience. This new package enhances the family of NatureSweet tomato packaging presentation.” The company represents more than a 70 percent share of the $100 million cherry category and recognizes the consumer’s overwhelming preference for small tomatoes as a continuing growth opportunity for its retail customers.

The concept was identified in testing as the option that had the most consumer appeal. The previous red-mesh bags did not always protect the product during shipment and retail handling, and the excessive ventilation led to the fruit spoiling more quickly.

“This new packaging is a key initiative to remind consumers of the power to transform their meals with NatureSweet Cherry, the perfect ingredient tomato,” said Ault. More than 37 percent of fresh tomatoes are used in cooking and NatureSweet Cherry tomatoes are preferred over any other tomato. They withstand heat in cooking to add a fresh twist and burst of inspiration to pasta, pizza and many other favorite dishes.

“Consumers are attracted to the new packaging in several ways,” said Laura Murphy, Direct Pack VP of Sales & Marketing. “One is the way it enhances the visibility of the tomatoes. Another one is the improved functionality compared to the current package, once they use it. Adding improved sustainability, you have a very strong packaging concept.”

For more information about the new cherry packaging and for recipes, go to www.naturesweet.com.

NatureSweet Ltd.

Based in San Antonio, Texas, NatureSweet, Ltd. is the leading grower of premium small tomatoes in North America. The company represents more than a 70 percent share of the $100 million dollar cherry category. Distributed throughout the U.S. at major grocers, club stores and foodservice operations, NatureSweet tomatoes deliver the best tasting tomatoes with year-round availability. As the number one brand of vine-ripened cherry tomatoes in the U.S., NatureSweet’s growing facilities encompass more than 1,000 greenhouse acres, and proudly employs 5,000 associates, year round.

Direct Pack, Inc.

Direct Pack, Inc. is a subsidiary of PMC Global, Inc. Calif., who specializes in customized food packaging solutions for the food service, food processing, agricultural and supermarket segments. DPI has two production platforms (Taipei, Taiwan and Sun Valley, CA). Material capabilities include post consumer recycled PET, PET, PLA, Polypropylene and Bagasse. The company’s core business is the quick turn around of customized food packaging solutions with a strong focus on design and environmental sustainability. DPI is also the founder and brand owner of The Bottle Box®, the first container made of 100% recycled post-consumer PET bottles.

www.directpackinc.com , www.thebottlebox.com

For more information, please contact Laura Murphy, VP Sales & Marketing lauramurphy@directpackinc.com Phone 949-421-7900

Source: NatureSweet Ltd.