PMA Recognizes Industry’s Best Packaging Innovators

Orlando, Fla. — Six winners were named the produce industry’s best packaging innovators on Oct. 16 by the Produce Marketing Association (PMA), receiving the association’s fourth annual PMA Impact Award: Excellence in Packaging. The winning companies were announced by Mike O’Brien, vice president of produce and floral, Schnuck Markets Inc., during PMA’s 2010 Fresh Summit International Convention & Exposition in Orlando, Fla., USA. The award recognizes companies who are leading the way with exceptional produce and floral packaging that demonstrates innovation and makes an impact on consumers.

Now in its fourth year, the 2010 Impact Award took on a new approach to judging this year. Submissions were judged holistically, earning points for excellence in four areas: marketing, food safety, supply chain efficiency/functionality and sustainability. The combined point totals from each of these areas determined the 25 finalists and six packaging winners. The award typically slates only five winners; however, marking a first in Impact Award history, a tie resulted in a total of six top packaging innovators instead of the predicted five.

The 2010 Impact Award winners are:

Chiquita Brands International for Artisanal Salads
Clear Lam Packaging, Inc. and Apio, Inc. (joint submission) for New Pink Platter to Benefit the Fight Against Breast Cancer
Del Monte Fresh Produce, Inc. and Robbie (joint submission) for Cored Del Monte Gold Extra Sweet Pineapple Cylinder in a Flexible Pouch
Hanline Farms for Fresh & Ready Vegetables
Mastronardi Produce Ltd. for Sunset Candy Tomato Multipack
T. Marzetti for Simply Dressed
In presenting the awards to the winners during a Fresh Summit general session breakfast, O’Brien spoke about the rich opportunities that packaging innovation offers to promote brands, and to advance key initiatives such as sustainability.

“Professionalism breeds excellence and that’s something we like to recognize and reward,” said PMA President & CEO Bryan Silbermann. “The Impact Award gives members a chance to gain recognition as packaging innovators. The award also encourages their industry peers to challenge their own thinking of packaging’s role in maintaining product quality and safety, in communicating to consumers, and in demonstrating a commitment to the environment and sustainability.”

PMA created the awards program in 2007 specifically to recognize and encourage excellence in fresh produce and floral packaging. This year’s contest was announced in June; entries were accepted through Aug. 27. Interested companies could submit more than one entry. In total, PMA received 74 entries this year — the vast majority of them being first time participants — from which 25 finalists were selected to be reviewed by a panel of expert judges who chose the winners.

The panel of judges included a variety of academic, produce and packaging professionals including: Leonard Batti, general partner of MIXTEC Group; Bridget Bennett, acting category manager/produce operations and headquarters produce specialist for the Defense Commissary Agency; Kip Martin, produce and floral supervisor for Raley’s Family of Fine Stores; Ron McCormick, senior director of local and sustainable sourcing with Wal-Mart; Pamela Riemenschneider, editor of Produce Retailer magazine and retail editor of The Packer newspaper; and Dr. Bob Whitaker, PMA’s chief science & technology officer.

Source: Produce Marketing Association