CHARLOTTE, NC - What do a New Orleans restaurant, a giant banana, and a city in Pennsylvania have in common? They are all being inducted into Dole Food Company’s newly established Dole Banana Hall of Fame!

“All of us at Dole are well aware that we could never have made it to our banana quasquicentennial—our 125^th year of growing and marketing bananas—without the help of other banana ambassadors with a similar passion for the fruit,” said William Goldfield, Communications Director. "This Hall of Fame is for them.”

As part of Dole's 125^th Banana-versary, the supplier has established the hall of fame and announced three inaugural inductees for their ongoing contributions to the lore, legacy, and global appeal of the fruit.

According to a release, the inductees are Brennan’s New Orleans, creator of the Bananas Foster; the City of Latrobe, Pennsylvania, birthplace of the Banana Split; and Bobby Banana, Dole’s iconic 7-foot banana mascot.

Dole will announce additional Dole Banana Hall of Fame inductees throughout 2024. Banana lovers can nominate their own favorite banana icons—from people and places; to banana dishes, drinks, and desserts; to bananas in film, TV, music, and popular culture—by using the hashtag #DoleBananaVersary on any Dole social media page.

To read more, click here.

Cheers to these inaugural inductees!

COLLINSVILLE, IL - Keeping food fresh while offering essential opportunities in branding, product visibility, and food safety, Sev-Rend® is back with another game-changing packaging innovation, revealing its new tray lidding and sealing film.

“We are excited to present our newest packaging, now accessible to the fresh produce industry for fresh and ready-to-eat foods,” said Brittnie Hammack, Director of Marketing. “Introducing this addition to our existing range broadens our product offerings for current partners and paves the way for new collaborations. Our commitment remains unwavering in delivering premium products and services to the industry.”

Also referred to as top seal film or heat-sealing film, tray sealing film is a plastic packaging material that is versatile and flexible. It is primarily optimized as a way to cover and seal trays containing various food products, including produce, meats, seafood, baked goods, poultry, frozen foods, and more.

Key features of Sev-Rend’s new tray sealing film include:

• High-quality print – up to eight colors
• High film clarity
• Barrier and anti-fog technology
• Matte and glossy PET finishes available
• Printed film and unprinted film available
• Micro and macro hole ventilation technology
• Increased branding surface area
• Destruct seal, peelable seal, and resealable functionality
• Quick lead times
• PCR and Compostable film available

As a press release detailed, the tray lidding film plays a pivotal role in keeping food fresh by offering essential functions like branding, product visibility, tamper-evidence, and resealable technology. Lidding film specifically designed with micro and macro perforations, and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) films can extend the shelf-life of fresh and ready-to-eat foods.

Sealing the tray also protects the food products throughout the production, packaging, and distribution processes.

Keep reading about the latest innovations in the packaging space with AndNowUKnow.

UNITED STATES - Could it be?! The Southeast Produce Council’s (SEPC) 2024 Southern Exposure is already upon us, and industry members are more than ready to hit the show floor. Would we be ANUK if we didn’t bring you the latest insights ahead of the event?

Among the companies set to attend is Rice Fruit Company, which will be showcasing its premium assortment of apples during the show.

"As consumer preferences evolve and tastes change with each generation, there will always be an apple variety for everyone,” notes Brenda Briggs, Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “The benefits of apples to one's health and well-being have remained consistent. Regardless of the variety, we are committed to educating consumers about the advantages of apple consumption.”

The company will be using this show as an opportunity to be a champion of consumer health, helping attendees understand how apple consumption improves well-being. In alignment with the U.S. Apple Association, Rice Fruit is focused on the current Health Benefit campaign, which details the many health benefits that come from adding apples to consumers’ daily routines. 

Rice Fruit’s robust apple portfolio—including newer varieties like Lemonade™, Evercrisp®, and SnapDragon®—will be on display at booth #900.

Also livening up the show floor is BrightFarms.

As Abby Prior, Chief Commercial Officer, stated, “2024 is going to be a breakout year for BrightFarms. Our new greenhouses will provide the capacity to service the increased demand for sustainably grown leafy greens, allowing us to serve more people than ever before.”

Currently operating six greenhouses, BrightFarms delivers fresh, tasty, long-lasting greens to consumers across the Midwest and East Coast. With the construction of three new greenhouse hubs—in Illinois, Texas, and Georgia—being completed later this year, BrightFarms is on pace to 10x its growth by the end of 2025, with the ability to serve more consumers in existing markets, as well as expand its reach further into the Southeast and Texas.

BrightFarms will be drawing attention to its popular line of four Crunch Kit™ salad kits, which have quickly become a staple in the health-seeking consumers’ repertoire. The provider has recently added to this convenient lineup by introducing two new flavors: Mediterranean and Southwest Chipotle. It’s all waiting for you at booth #324!

Last but not least, the Ark Foods team will feature its exceptional bagged pepper program, featuring its lineup of chilis for every occasion, which includes three delicious options: Hot Pepper Medley, Jalapeño Peppers, and Cubanelle Peppers.

“We’re excited to continue pushing the boundaries of flavor and quality while maintaining our dedication to clean ingredients and supply chain transparency,” said Noah Robbins, Ark Foods Founder and Chief Executive Officer.

Trade show attendees will also see the company's chopped salad kids featuring four tasty flavors in their clean label eats lineup. As Robbins shares, Ark Foods has big plans for 2024 and looks forward to continuing its quest to showcase the magic of vegetables.

Check out the company at booth #228!

For more Southern Exposure insights, be on the lookout for ANUK’s next update!