VANCOUVER, BC - On the heels of its recent reintroduction of a beloved offering, RPE has more news to share, as it has announced that it will be exhibiting at the Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) Trade Show and Convention for the first time.

“We are off-the-charts enthusiastic about bringing retail solutions to Canada for the first time while featuring our high-performing, category-leading brands,” said RPE Vice President of Business Development Drew Callaghan. “RPE distinguishes itself with a full solution model supplying high-quality potatoes and onions 52 weeks a year across all sizes—organic and conventional—in all colors and formats.”

RPE’s portfolio includes numerous differentiation opportunities for ambitious regional and national Canadian retailers aspiring to grow their categories, according to a release. Some of the on-shelf differentiations the company will be showcasing include:

• Tasteful Selections® 3-pound Mesh Pillow Pack baby potato line-up of Honey Gold® signature flavor, Ruby Sensation® red potatoes, and a Sunburst Blend® 2-color option
• Innovative culinary product from Tasteful Selections: Potatoes Your Way, available in two broad-appeal flavors—Garlic Parsley and Zesty Italian Herb. Potatoes Your Way emphasizes meal prep convenience and eco-conscious sustainability
• A 52-week organic potatoes solution—for baby potatoes and A size—powered by expansive, certified partner grower acreage, a crucial opportunity for increased consumer consumption
• Various conventional commodity potato offerings are available in bulk, in 3, 5, and 10 lb pack sizes. Russet, red, and yellow potatoes are available in all four size formats

The supplier has established diverse geographic grower partnerships that enable it to source, pack, and distribute conventional and organic Canada-grown commodity and specialty potatoes to Canadian retailers.

“By expanding our supply base and logistics capabilities into Canada, our customers have more flexibility and diversity of supplies,” Callaghan noted, “as well as shorter distances in the supply chain to get potatoes and onions to the shelf.”

Click here to read more about RPE’s showcase.

CPMA attendees will find RPE representatives in booth #1617.
 

VANCOUVER, BC - For this year’s Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) Trade Show and Convention, the Oppy team will not have to travel far as it is being held in Vancouver, British Columbia, the company’s home turf.

“It’s an honor to host from our headquarters this year. Our hometown producers from the Fraser Valley have so many inspiring stories to impart—it’s innovators like them who are making a difference in the industry, so it’s quite special to share that with our retail partners during this top-notch show,” Sales Director for Canada Colbert Rahal shared.

As an annual sponsor of the closing night banquet, Oppy will feature a cinematic journey of its key partners and what it’s like to grow in one of the most fertile regions of the world, a release detailed. These partners include:

• Perpetual Vegetable Co. - With a focus on sustainability emphasized by its positioning line, “Life grows on,” their high-tech greenhouse control systems allow for the conservation and recycling of water, carbon dioxide, and other valuable nutrients. They produce top-quality long English and mini cucumbers, and sweet bell and mini peppers
• UP Vertical Farms - With nearly a decade of research and development, UP utilizes cutting-edge technology to grow crops at 350 times the yield of conventional field-grown leafy greens. Their fully automated system uses 99 percent less water and fertilizer with no pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides
• Origin Organic Farms - As the first organically certified greenhouse in 2005, OriginO is a leader in this category. They grow peppers, tomatoes, and cucumbers to the exacting standards of Canadian organic specifications. They’ve developed unique drainage and irrigation systems and enrich the soil with the stems and leaves of each generation of plants they grow
• Golden Eagle Farms - One of the largest blueberry holdings in the world and one of the largest members of the Ocean Spray cooperative, Golden Eagle Farms is committed to the highest standards of cold-chain management and traceability. Its proximity to production fields ensures the retention of firmness and flavor in its blueberries and cranberries

“Sharing the unique qualities of our community isn’t just an opportunity, but a cornerstone of the commitment we make to our customers. We anticipate presenting our offerings in a fresh perspective as well as collaborating on how we can continue meeting their evolving needs,” added Rahal.

Stop by booth #915 to learn more about these amazing suppliers.

DELTA, BC, CANADA - Last week, we shared the exciting news that WINDSET FARMS® will be showcasing some innovative packaging solutions during this year’s CPMA Convention and Trade Show. Now, more news is in store as the company unveils its alliance with Canadian chef Ned Bell, who will now serve as an advocate for the grower’s vision to provide sustainably grown produce for consumers.

"We are grateful to have Chef Ned Bell join us again at the CPMA show in Vancouver,” John Newell, Chief Operating Officer of Windset, stated. “His dedication to sustainability and culinary excellence aligns perfectly with our mission to provide nutritious produce through excellence, growth, and innovation. We look forward to the positive impact we will make together."

The new collaboration is geared toward championing sustainable agriculture and locally sourced produce. As a press release explained, Chef Ned will play a crucial role in collaborating with the greenhouse company to promote the benefits of sustainably grown produce through engaging campaigns.

This includes video tours showcasing Windset's state-of-the-art greenhouse facility in Delta, British Columbia, shining a spotlight on Windset's delicious, locally grown, year-round produce. In addition, he will be sharing culinary insights and recipes on Windset's social media platform.

"I am honored to partner with Windset Farms to inspire consumers to make conscious choices and support local farmers,” Bell commented.

Chef Ned will be taking to the 2024 CPMA Convention and Trade Show on April 24 and 25, showing off the brand’s newly released YUM YUMS™ Cherry Tomatoes and SWEETIES™ Seedless Mini Peppers with his signature taco recipe. Be sure to stop by booth #231 to check it out!

You can also catch Chef Ned on April 24 on the CTV Morning Show, where he'll be cooking a delicious Windset-inspired dish. For more details on the partnership, click here.

And for more updates from Windset, keep clicking on ANUK!

MCALLEN, TX - The fresh produce industry has been shaken by the recent news of a packaging pioneer’s recent passing. Kenneth Fox, Founder of Fox Packaging, passed away on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at the age of 91. Upon his passing, our industry looks back on an incredible journey, marked by unrelenting dedication and an unmatched commitment to excellence.

Kenneth’s decorated journey in the flexible packaging arena began with humble beginnings, an obituary stated. He started his career as a burlap and mesh bag salesman for a company out of Kansas City, Missouri. With his family in Kansas City, Kenneth’s sales territories included North Dakota, Florida, and Texas, meaning he spent most of his time on the road. This led him to make the difficult decision to move his wife and four children to South Texas and start manufacturing packaging on his own. Sixty years ago, six sewing machines in the back of a melon shed was the beginning of what would become Kenneth Fox Supply, Co.—today’s Fox Packaging.

Throughout his longstanding career, Kenneth’s pioneering spirit and dedication to quality laid the groundwork for the company’s success. He remained focused on the principles of integrity, innovation, and family, instilling these values in each aspect of Fox Packaging’s operations to ensure it served as a beacon of excellence in the industry.

His admirable entrepreneurial spirit allowed him to identify niche markets and discover solutions to problems not yet realized, and the openness and acceptance of the Texas produce industry in those days gave him the opportunity and resources he needed to get his start.

Kenneth is survived by his wife, Elaine Fox; his children, Valerie Mehis (Jim), Lori Goldman (Bruce), Keith Fox (Bruni), and Aaron Fox (Danielle); 10 grandchildren, and seven (soon to be nine) great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, Anna and Louis Fox, and his son, Craig Fox.

Continuing with Kenneth’s vision under the Fox Packaging operation are his sons, Keith Fox (President of Fox Packaging), Aaron Fox (Executive Vice President, Fox Packaging/President of Fox Solutions), and four of his grandsons, Lucas Fox, Jacob Fox, Dylan Fox, and Noah Fox.

Details regarding the memorial services will be shared as they become available.

ANUK extends our condolences to the family as the industry reflects on Kenneth’s impactful legacy.

KINGSVILLE, ONTARIO, CANADA - Avid readers of ANUK know that we are eagerly awaiting the kickoff of the Canadian Produce Marketing Association's (CPMA) convention this April 23–25. While showing off its diverse portfolio of offerings, Mucci Farms will be welcoming attendees of the show to relax through its sponsorship of the relaxation lounge, dubbed the “Fresh Hub.”

“We've long been dedicated supporters of the CPMA, and we take particular pride in this event being in our home territory,” notes Danny Mucci, Managing Partner. “It's always important for us to maintain a significant presence at this show, affirming our Canadian heritage and our commitment to representing our country with pride. Our partnership with the CPMA provides invaluable insight and opportunities for thought leadership on the variety of issues within the produce industry nationwide. Sponsoring the relaxation lounge is an extension of this support, allowing us to extend our hospitality to fellow exhibitors and attendees alike.”

Mucci Farms’ relaxation lounge is strategically positioned just outside the entrance to the show floor. With refreshments on hand, the lounge is fully equipped to cater to anyone seeking a quiet space to recharge their devices, catch up on emails, host meetings, or simply take a moment to unwind.

Consistent with "Fresh Week" during CPMA, the grower has curated its Fresh Hub to further amplify this theme.

“Our objective was to cultivate a warm atmosphere that meshes well with the overarching theme of the event and the rejuvenating spirit of spring,” added Emily Murracas, Director of Marketing. “We aimed to design a lounge that embraced bright, lively colors to provide a cozy and relaxing atmosphere. It also serves as a tribute to the unofficial start of the local season, as Canadian production is in full swing from coast to coast.”

Mucci Farms will also be showcasing its innovative portfolio during the show, with several items displayed in the New Product Showcase:

• Best New Product: Savorries Sweet Strawberry Tomatoes
• Best Snackable Product: Veggies-to-Go
• Best Organic Product: Organic Sapori Cocktail Tomatoes
• Packaging Innovation: Paper/Bamboo Mesh Bag

“CPMA is in a class of its own when it comes to food shows in Canada. It has an intimate feel and a friendly atmosphere that encourages relationship building, which is essential to doing business in the produce industry,” Danny adds. “With various networking opportunities, their persistence in finding different ways to celebrate Canadian food suppliers is top tier.”

Be sure to stop by booth #531 to get an up-close look at Mucci Farms’ full assortment of products during the show!!

For more show coverage, leave a tab open to ANUK.

VANCOUVER, BC, CANADA - The call for innovation is here, and Highline Mushrooms is delivering. As we count down the days to the 2024 Canadian Produce Marketing Association’s (CPMA) Convention and Trade Show, the team has been hard at work putting the finishing touches on a program destined to deliver.

“We are excited about this year’s event as we have been dedicating a lot of focus to our transition from colored tills to clear tills. Our vision is to provide a more sustainable packaging option, showcase the quality of the mushrooms, and strive for food waste minimization. By harvesting in clear tills, our associates have to focus on the quality of the mushrooms they are growing and harvesting, which results in consumers having the best experience,” Devon Kennedy, National Marketing Manager, shares with me. “Once we complete our journey to clear 100 percent recyclable rPET tills, we will continue to innovate across our company.”

As attendees gear up for the show, Highline shares that the team will be focusing on its mantra of Clean, Clear, and Climate Smart along with its new white flat mushrooms.

“The mushroom industry is continually evolving. At CPMA, we will be featuring our new organic white flat mushrooms as well and a 100 percent recycle-ready till and top seal,” Devon reveals. “We want to continue to bring innovations to retailers and consumers so mushrooms are top of mind. You may have heard it before, but we like to say, Just Eat A Mushroom!”

As Devon continues to share the nature of the program with me, she also adds that the CPMA event is unlike any other in the industry.

“CPMA always has a great energy at every function during convention. It is the kick-off to spring, and there are often great new product launches. It is well attended by both Canadian and American retailers with a real buzz to drive fresh consumption and offer quality and consistency to consumers,” she states. “The convention has so much to offer beyond the show floor. Passion for Produce, Women in Produce, and engaging speaking sessions bring everyone together to connect and drive our industry forward.”

The time is now to lock in those booth numbers, so make sure to pen in Highline booth #1715. Have a great show!