WASHINGTON, D.C. – A record 34 fresh fruit and vegetable innovations are up for the United Fresh Produce Association’s 2011 New Product Awards. This year’s finalists will compete in six categories for the title of Best New Products at United Fresh 2011, May 2-5 in New Orleans.
“These 34 products represent the forerunners in the effort to bring new approaches, ideas and processes to the fresh fruit and vegetable industry,” said John Toner, vice president of convention and industry relations for United Fresh. “From its very beginnings, the United show has been the undisputed home of big innovation for the produce industry, and these awards continue to showcase the best and brightest minds in the produce business.”
“The development and display of the latest in innovation from our industry is a vital part of the mission of every United trade show,” said United Fresh President and CEO Tom Stenzel. “Our industry’s success is built upon the foresight and creativity of its member companies in bringing new products to market. This serves to boost value to the consumer and profitability to the industry.”
Products will be on display in the United Fresh Membership Booth on the show floor, where they will be judged by all attendees throughout the show. Winners will be determined by total votes received as of 2:00 p.m. May 4, and will be announced approximately one hour after tabulation.
The 2011 New Product Award finalists are:
Best New Packaging
- Clearly Fresh® Bags, Apio, Inc.
- Eco Trays, Clifford Produce
- E-Pack, Daumar Corporation
- IFCO “6408N RPC” (RPC for Berries), IFCO SYSTEMS
- Fresh N Tasty® Produce Pouch, Robbie
- MIXIM Classic 5×5 6oz. Bushberry Packaging System, Sambrailo Packaging
Best New Food Safety Solution
- The Arizona Leafy Greens Food Safety Training Kit, Arizona Leafy Green Marketing Agreement
- EMD Portable Analysis System, BioSafe Systems
- SmartWashTM, New Leaf Food Safety Solutions
- XpressPDF Label – Temperature Monitoring, PakSense
- FreshQC, VirtualOne Software
Best New Processing Equipment
- Primus Gemini – New and Improved Fresh Berry Sorter, Best Sorting
- Onion Top & Tail – Manual, Charlie’s Machine & Supply, Inc.
- OP-120, Onion Peeler – Dofra Foodtec
- Tray Filling System, Automatic Rigid Tray Filling and Lidding System, Heinzen Manufacturing
- Tamajiro Onion Peeling Machine, Nichimo International
- PerfoTec Fast Respiration Meter, PerfoTec BC
- High Capacity Automatic Spin Dryer Mod. Nextra Large, Turatti SRL
Best New Fruit Product
- Chiquita Fruit+Juice Duos, Chiquita Brands North America
- Crunch Pak With Disney, Crunch Pak
- Four Pack Fresh Fruit Cups, Del Monte Fresh Produce, NA, Inc.
- Zima® Seriously Sweet Tomato, Mastronardi Produce/Sunset®
- Sun DropsTM Grape Tomatoes, Mucci Farms
- Naturipe® Berry Quick Blueberry Snacks, Naturipe Farms, LLC
- Sunkist® Premium Table Grapes, Sunkist Growers, Inc.
Best New Packing/Packaging Equipment
- ITM Information That MattersTM, Heat and Control, Inc.
- Vegatronic 200 Ultrasonic, Ilapak
- Volmpack Ultrek 320 Vertical-Form-Fill-Seal Bagger, Volm Companies, Inc.
Best New Vegetable Product
- Wasabi Arugula, Church Brothers
- Colorful Classics Vegetable Tray & Sweet Honey Dijon Vinaigrette, Colorful Harvest
- Mann’s Snacks On The Go!TM, Mann Packing Co., Inc.
- Pure Flavor Grill Ready Vegetable Mix, Pure Hot House Foods Inc.
- Ready Pac Salad SinglesTM, Ready Pac Foods, Inc.
- York’s HarvestTM Garden Chips, Tropical Nut and Fruit
The 2010 New Product Award winners were:
- Best New Packaging: Fresh Express Artisanal Salads, Chiquita Brands North America
- Best New Food Safety Solution: VoiceCode, YottaMark
- Best New Processing Equipment: FogTunnel Produce Treatment System, AgSolutions, Inc.
- Best New Fruit Product: Chiquita Fresh & Ready Avocados, Chiquita Brands North America
- Best New Packing/Processing Equipment: Ulta Bagger (Girbagger) Bagging Machine, Giro Pack
- Best New Vegetable Product: Ready Pac Bistro Seasonal Salads, Italiano & Waldorf, Ready Pac Foods, Inc.
For more information on the 2011 New Product Awards or on United Fresh 2011, contact United’s Exposition Manager Jamie Woodside at 202-303-3400 ext. 420.
Founded in 1904, the United Fresh Produce Association serves companies at the forefront of the global fresh and fresh-cut produce industry, including growers, shippers, fresh-cut processors, wholesalers, distributors, retailers, foodservice operators, industry suppliers and allied associations. From its headquarters in Washington, D.C. and Western Regional office in Salinas, Calif., United Fresh and its members work year-round to make a difference for the produce industry by driving policies that increase consumption of fresh produce, shaping critical legislative and regulatory action, providing scientific and technical leadership in food safety, quality assurance, nutrition and health, and developing educational programs and business opportunities to assist member companies in growing successful businesses. For more information, visit www.unitedfresh.org or call 202-303-3400.
Source: United Fresh Produce Association
