Bejo Seeds Reports Continued Growth In Branded Produce Programs

OCEANO, CALIFORNIA – Packaged Facts reports that sales of branded packaged produce through all retail channels increased by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.7% between 2009 and 2013 to reach $5.6 billion.[1] Conservatively forecasting a CAGR for this category of 4.6% through 2018, when sales are expected to approach $7 billion according to the report. Higher sales volume, higher prices, and consumer demand are key factors in this projection.[2]

At the 2015 United Fresh Show, Bejo Seeds, Inc. will highlight their success with branded produce. Booth #1257 will be featuring the award winning Tasti-Lee® Tomatoes along with other branded vegetable varieties such as the Sweetheart Lettage® and Kool Robbi®.

Ten years in development by Dr. John “Jay” Scott at the University of Florida, this delicious vine-ripened tomato caught fire with consumers and is now the #1 brand of fresh round tomatoes in the US (AC Nielsen FreshFacts® 52 Weeks Ending July 26, 2014). Tasti-Lee® brand messaging is recognized by consumers to have up to 50% higher lycopene levels, superior flavor, sun-ripened, and excellent quality. The seed is produced and distributed worldwide by family-owned international seed company, Bejo Zaden of The Netherlands, with its North American division, Bejo Seed, Inc. responsible for the rapid success of the Tasti-Lee® Tomatoes brand. 

The demands for creating the perfect tomato were two fold, shares Dr. Scott. For one, the tomato needs to have delicious flavor year-round, have a naturally plump size, and keep shape after cutting for sandwiches and cooking.  Second, the fruit needs to be sturdy enough to withstand the pressures of commercial agribusiness and transport.  Tasti-Lee® aced both the demands and have since gained a loyal following of consumers looking for Tasti-Lee’s® delicious flavor, color, size, and hearty lycopene content.

These soil-grown, non-GMO tomatoes naturally turn a beautiful deep red color from sun-ripening (never gassed with ethylene). The perfect balance of sweet and tangy taste, Tasti Lee® tomatoes not only contain 50% more lycopene than your average tomato, but they stay firm on the consumers’ kitchen counter resulting in a superior cutting tomato. 

Grown by experts in the farming community, Tasti-Lee® tomatoes come in both organic and conventional varieties, and are available in leading natural supermarkets and mainstream grocery chains around the nation. Tasti-Lee® truly brings the fresh taste and texture of homegrown tomatoes to supermarkets year-round.

Look out for the Tasti-Lee® farm truck full of farm fresh tomatoes and sample Tasti-Lee’s delicious new salsa at Bejo Seeds, Inc. booth #1257 at the United Fresh Show.

Following the United Fresh Show, Bejo Seeds will be one of seventeen exhibitors at the exclusive Fresh Festival for Fresh School Service.

Source: Bejo Seeds, Inc.