CASTROVILLE, CA - A new line of value-added kits are ready to light up some excitement for show attendees. Ocean Mist® Farms will be unveiling its new Roastables line at the International Fresh Produce Association trade show in Atlanta, Georgia, this week.

“We understand that today’s consumers are busier than ever, with many households balancing two working parents,” said Chris Drew, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Our goal with these roasting kits is to give families back some of their precious time, without having to sacrifice nutrition or taste.”

The new line of Ready-to-Roast kits features fresh, halved Brussels sprouts, pre-washed and ready to roast. The flavors include Lemon Caesar, Sweet Sesame, and Sun-Dried Tomato, and each kit comes with a crispy garnish to add after roasting.

A press release added that these new Ready-To-Roast kits were designed for busy, health-conscious consumers looking for a quick and flavorful meal solution.

“We collaborated closely with a culinary group in San Francisco to develop the chef-inspired flavor profiles for our new Roastables,” said Mark Munger, Senior Director of Marketing. “One of our key objectives was to craft distinctive dishes that replicate the indulgent flavor experience of dining at a fine restaurant.”

With their craveable flavors and quick, 15-minute cooking time, these kits make it easy to prepare a nutritious and delicious side dish in a few simple steps. The next additions to the Roastables line are already in development and will feature other premium fresh vegetables from Ocean Mist Farms.

Ocean Mist Farms will be serving samples of Roastables at booth B3853 during the Global Produce & Floral Show, so be sure to stop by and indulge your taste buds in the blend of sweet and savory flavors!

WEST GROVE, PA - New appointments are taking place at I Love Produce. The company has brought on industry vet Adrian Almeida as its new Chief Executive Officer and internally promoted Eric Frasse to President.

“I’m super excited to join a company that is centered on its people and customers,” said Adrian Almeida, Chief Executive Officer. “I look forward to working together with our partners, co-workers, customers, and stakeholders to drive the next chapter of I Love Produce’s growth and innovation.”

In addition to leading I Love Produce, Almeida will expand and improve the company in the areas of technology and branding, a press release noted.

Almeida has over 20 years of experience in the produce industry, including as Chief Operations and Innovation Officer at NatureSweet, and more recently as Chief Operating Officer at Sensei Ag.

“Taking on this new role and helping to lead I Love Produce into the future is a dream come true,” shared Eric Frasse, President. “I love this industry, and I have enjoyed being an integral part of our success over the past 15 years. I am looking forward to this new role and helping our team build on what we have already achieved together.”

Specialists in the global trade of garlic, ginger, and shallots, I Love Produce has been one of the leaders in marketing the category in North America for the past 20 years.

“The Board of Directors could not be more pleased with the addition of Adrian to lead our team,” said Jim Provost, Co-Founder. “As part of our growth strategy, we promoted Eric Frasse to President. He has been working with I Love Produce in sales and as Vice President of Sales for over 15 years, so he will be a perfect complement to Adrian in helping us achieve our goals for our team and continue to strive to be excellent partners with both our customers and our growers.”

Congrats from ANUK to these newly appointed leaders!

You can meet Adrian, Eric, and the rest of the I Love Produce team at the Global Produce & Floral Show at booth B1626 this week in Atlanta.

VALENCIA, CA - Sunkist Growers is demonstrating its commitment to innovation at the Global Produce & Floral Show with the debut of a uniquely designed, recyclable corrugated booth. Ahead of the show, I spoke with the company’s Senior Director of Category Management and Marketing, who explained that Sunkist is transforming how it manages, evaluates, and delivers citrus from the grove to shelves.

“The new Sunkist i3™ program reflects our commitment to investing in technology, innovating with processes, and implementing with people—a trifecta we believe guarantees unmatched citrus quality,” Cassie Howard noted. “With this initiative, retailers can expect continued customer support, consistent quality and sizing, and the same reliable juicy flavor shoppers have come to expect from a brand that has been a beloved part of households for over 131 years.”

Another key focus as the citrus cooperative takes to the IFPA show is its commitment to supporting health and wellness initiatives. Sunkist has teamed up with National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF), unveiling limited-edition pink ribbon packaging and matching merchandising for its Cara program.

“Our Power with the Pink Orange™ program features all pink packaging to raise awareness for breast cancer support and resources. The pink branding will carry over to our booth graphics and advertising; limited-edition merchandising and pack options; our team’s pink apparel; and additional campaign materials empowering consumers to make a difference with their purchases,” Cassie added.

Helping to promote more category growth, Sunkist is always developing fresh and innovative merchandising solutions to enhance the citrus category. The brand’s new interchangeable, modular merchandising lineup features variety-specific graphics that retailers can customize to align with in-store display needs and various retail footprints. The provider’s new merchandising and shopper-marketing programs are tailored to enhance individual store goals, engage consumers, and drive the category during key shopper milestones.

“Sunkist has been a consistent leader in category management and has invested in solutions to better understand citrus consumers, as well as benchmarking opportunities to drive the category to better support its retail partners,” Cassie explained. “We have identified strategic positioning opportunities and consumer targeting that we believe will have an impact on preference for Sunkist-branded citrus and drive the category throughout the season. This has not only directed our creative approach but will allow us to focus our advertising media spend on shoppers who over index in citrus consumption. Our ultra-targeted approach to promotion will have benefits for retailers who carry our robust portfolio of conventional and organic citrus offerings.”

With its new Sunny Days campaign, Sunkist also aims to shine a well-deserved spotlight on its formidable network of family farms.

“Our collective of family farms are passionate about the fruit they nurture, and we are celebrating what they do by bringing them to the forefront of our new Sunny Days campaign. Our new campaign and brand platform aims to celebrate what has made Sunkist a household name throughout the world and a trusted part of our consumers’ lives for generations,” Cassie concluded!

Be on the lookout as the brand rolls out this exciting new direction! And be sure to visit booth B3639 during the show!