Jordan Okumura's Picks for the 2017 Organic Produce Summit


Thu. July 20th, 2017 - by Jordan Okumura-Wright

MONTEREY, CA - Between sold-out exhibitor spaces and more than 115 different companies sharing their organic offerings with over 900 attendees, the Organic Produce Summit has again become one of the top tier regional shows to rival. 

Add in more than 200 retailers, representing 70 different buying organizations in attendance which, in turn, represent over 60,000 stores, and you have yourself a hit. So, what are some of the great products that caught my eye on the incredible show floor? Find out here...

SUNSET® Organic Campari Tomatoes

Vibrant red, certified organic, and a blast of flavor with every bite–the Campari, dubbed The Tomato Lover’s Tomato®, offers an ideal balance of sweetness and acidity. Just the way I like it. And with a tomato that good, SUNSET® has the packaging to match. This presentation utilizes Top Seal technology, which has become the industry standard with pioneering efforts from companies like SUNSET®, and is completely recyclable and made from recycled materials. In addition, the company has added the voice of Chef Roger Mooking to the design, as he offers a recipe fit for the tomato, and the consumer palate. 

4Earth Farms Organic Green Beans

This is one produce item that is truly versatile, creating tasty components for appetizers and sides, warm or cold entrees, and, as always, as an on-the-go snack. As the demand for organics continues its upward trajectory, 4Earth Farms is responding to the call for clean and cut organic green beans to suit both foodservice and retail buyers' needs. The packaging only elevates the item by letting the fresh produce speak for itself with a unique poly film laminate and eye-catching graphics, that extends shelf-life and freshness as well.

Ippolito’s New Queen Victoria Brand Organic Line

While green is my favorite color, these six on-trend organic products reinvigorate my love for the soft but energetic shade. From Baby Kale and Arugula, to a 50/50 blend of Organic Spinach, Baby Lettuces, Greens, and Chicories, this new line is built to expand with plans for additional packs, varieties, and blends as demand dictates. Branded under Queen Victoria, this line features retail offerings in three different sizes–5 oz, 11 oz, and 16 oz–as well as providing foodservice options that are currently in the works. The possibilities are endless for this line, and I am ready to test that theory.

Bako Sweet Organic Single Sweets

Now, this item is a “sweet” deal. Sometimes I’m cooking for a party, and sometimes I am simply prepping for myself–and there in lies the rub. In a world where you can buy everything in bulk, sometimes you just simply want a single-serving of something healthy and tasty. Enter Bako Sweet with the company’snew organic SingleSweets line. Designed to accommodate the individual on the go, Bako Sweet launched the Newly Single microwaveable sweet potato this year. Nutritious, earthy, and delicious, these singles can complement any dish throughout the day or offer a snack in itself.

Mann Packing’s Organic Super Blend

When I walk into the produce department I can’t help but immediately shop with my eyes first. I truly believe color, quality, and presentation affect the way that we perceive flavor and satisfaction. Walking the floor at OPS, what do I spy, but Mann Packing’s Organic Super Blend. This new creation is packed with crunchy veggies including kale, colored carrots, green cabbage and broccoli, and offers a unique combo of flavors and textures. Organic and delicious? I’m in.


Next up, PMA Foodservice which will return our team to Monterey, California. See you all there!

SUNSET® 4Earth Farms Ippolito International Country Sweet Produce Mann Packing