NatureSweet Named PMA Impact Award Finalist

SAN ANTONIO, Texas – NatureSweet® has been selected as a finalist for the 2013 Produce Marketing Association (PMA) Impact Award, which recognizes excellence in packaging. The innovative packaging used for NatureSweet® Cherriots™, a new product introduced to select markets in March 2013, landed the grower of premium fresh tomatoes among the finalists from more than 60 entries this year.

“It is an honor to be among the select group of PMA Impact Award finalists,” said Michael Joergensen, NatureSweet director of marketing. “We are proud of the advances we’ve made to provide high-quality packaging that is guaranteed to keep our tomatoes safe, fresh and great-tasting for our customers.”

The breakthrough packaging for NatureSweet® Cherriots™ provides moms with kids on-the-go with three, pre-portioned servings of micro-tomato for ready-to-eat snacking occasions. The packaging makes the product visually appealing and differentiates Cherriots™ on shelf. The flat surface allows optimal use of space without damaging the product, and material used for the tray is recyclable code 1. Additionally, each package has a 10-digit code that allows NatureSweet to trace it back to the packing dates, pack line, greenhouse, facility and materials used.

The PMA Impact Award recognizes trendsetters that create and deliver bold new concepts for produce and floral packaging. Each entry will receive a cumulative score based upon areas of excellence in marketing, sustainability, consumer convenience, food safety, and supply chain efficiency/functionality.

Finalists will display their packaging innovations at the PMA Fresh Summit in New Orleans. The winner will be announced on Friday, October 18.

NatureSweet will exhibit at the PMA Fresh Summit, booth 4915.

About NatureSweet

NatureSweet®, Ltd is the leading grower of premium, branded fresh tomatoes in North America under the NatureSweet® brand.   Always vine-ripened and hand-picked at the peak of freshness, only NatureSweet® tomatoes guarantee great taste all year-round. NatureSweet tomatoes are carefully grown, harvested and packaged by more than 6,000 full-time associates.  NatureSweet® tomatoes are sold at major grocers, mass retailers, club stores, and foodservice operators in the United States, Canada and Mexico.  NatureSweet®, Cherubs®, SunBursts®, Glorys™ and Cherriots™ are trademarks of NatureSweet®, Ltd.  For more information about NatureSweet tomatoes, visit www.naturesweet.com.

Source: NatureSweet