NEW ORLEANS, LA – This week, Braga Fresh is bringing its new value-added offerings to 2017 PMA Fresh Summit and partnering with the PMA, Sun-Maid, and Marie’s to celebrate the perfect pairing of its Josie’s Organics Power Mix and Spring Mix with Marie’s salad dressing and Sun-Maid’s golden raisins.
“We’re excited to team up with Marie’s and Sun-Maid; it’s a perfect match!” Alisa Teglia, Braga Fresh’s Director of Marketing told me. “PMA had a very unique opportunity present itself; they needed a salad sponsor for the Refuel Lounge, and they thought of Josie! I knew at that very moment that this would be a perfect fit for us, and what a great way to support PMA. We’re excited about the opportunity to have people on the show floor taste our product with Marie’s salad dressing and Sun-Maid toppings.”
With both its classic Josie's Organics Spring Mix and new Power Mix—the perfect blend of organic cut vegetables, combining green cabbage, julienne-cut broccoli stalk, green kale, and julienne-cut rainbow carrots—in tow, Braga Fresh is primed to turn show-goers into fans with its charming food-truck atmosphere and the winning combination of fresh veggies and accoutrement that is anything but secondary.
And while refreshment and food is cause, in and of itself, for celebration, the Refuel Lounge is also an important meeting place, an excellent location to both network and sample tasty products.
“The Refuel Lounge is in its second year, capitalizing on the popularity of food trucks,” noted Belinda Keota Harvey, Meeting & Tradeshow Manager for PMA. “Certainly, the food is a part of refueling as we all know how much high-energy Fresh Summit requires of each of us. Besides food and electric fuel [for cell phones and personal devices], these areas are places for attendees to refuel and recharge with each other – networking, new ideas, new business partners, deepening relationships, impromptu business meetings, and more. Connections to people, ideas and insights are a hallmark of Fresh Summit, and the lounges are great places to make all those connections.”
Marie’s will be on hand, highlighting its transition to non-GMO oil and recyclable PET bottles and jars across its entire product line, as well as featuring its latest salad dressing flavors. Featured flavors include Garlic Parmesan Italian Vinaigrette, Mediterranean Vinaigrette, Roasted Tomato with Parmesan and Basil Vinaigrette, and Avocado Poblano dressings—each primed to highlight Braga Fresh’s Josie’s Organics products.
“We know that consumers love to experiment with their salads by adding different flavors and textures, so we looked for some great partners to share the Refresh Lounge experience with,” said Ventura Foods Brand Manager Ivonne Camacho. “Marie’s has been a longtime supporter of the Produce Marketing Association and the Fresh Summit. When we launched the Marie’s Food Truck tour in 2016, we thought the ultimate culmination of the tour would be to have it appear at the Fresh Summit…Last years’ experience was terrific!”
Sun-Maid’s Rich Pauman, Sr. VP Retail Sales and Marketing, expressed similar sentiments, noting the extraordinary opportunity the PMA Refuel Lounge provides to get product in front of forward-thinking buyers and build relationships between companies with similar commitments to quality and tastiness.
“Sun-Maid participated last year with Marie’s Salad Dressings and we feel it is a great opportunity to present Sun-Maid Raisins to consumers and buyers outside of the normal snacking realm,” Rich noted. “This is the first time we are working with Braga Fresh, and Marie’s Salad Dressings is a brand, like Sun-Maid, noted for its quality and reputation throughout the industry. Sun-Maid, even though it is one of the most recognized brand names in the world, believes in partnering with other strong brands to increase the recognition and acceptance of all participating brands.”
In addition to the company’s participation in the Refuel Lounge, Alisa tells, me, Braga Freshwill be showcasing the company’s full line of Josie’s Organics fresh cut vegetables at PMA Fresh Summit, including:
- 10 oz. Power Mix
- 9 oz. Cauliflower Florets
- 12 oz. Green Beans
- 9 oz. Broccoli Florets
- 9 oz. Broccoli and Carrots
- 9 oz. Broccoli Slaw
- 9 oz. Vegetable Medley
Besides the Refuel Lounge, Belinda told me, PMA will also host a Refresh Lounge sponsored by the Idaho Potato Commission and the Charging Lounge sponsored by the Greenhouse Produce Company. The Refresh Lounge will feature tasty potato beignets and gumbo, and the Charging Lounge will allow attendees to charge their devices.
“We are thrilled that these three sponsors chose to support the Refuel Lounge: Braga Fresh, Marie’s, and Sun-Maid Growers of California. Last year, Marie’s had the idea about the food truck and worked with Sun-Maid. It was so successful they wanted to repeat the experience this year, and we added Braga Fresh to the mix,” Belinda added. “While we’re talking about food and refueling at Fresh Summit, I will mention that I hope attendees are attentive to the food. From tasty items at the lounges to food at exhibitors’ booths to the food served at meals and receptions, Fresh Summit offers delectable treats that showcase the variety and innovation available with fruits and vegetables. We focus on the learnings and networking and business deals at Fresh Summit, as we should. Yet I’m also blown away by the food that surrounds us at this event. We need everyone to eat the way we all do at Fresh Summit!”
For more on the 2017 PMA Fresh Summit, stay tuned to AndNowUKnow.
