<p>Produce Marketing Association kicked off its 32nd Foodservice Conference & Expo July 26-28 in Monterey, California. This year’s conference theme centered on innovation as a multi-faceted business solution to help the foodservice supply chain plan for change and future business growth. There to help drive innovation and growth forward were a host of companies presenting fresh forward ideas and products to help pave the way. </p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p><b>This year's Best New Product Launch winner was Naturipe Farms, LLC.</b> <img class="small-cropped-image" src="https://cdn.andnowuknow.com/legacySmallCroppedImages/naturipe_peel_reseal_lighter.jpg" alt="Monday, July 29th, 2013" />The company was recognized for its Peel and Reseal Ready to Serve (RTS) 18 oz. fresh blueberries. Naturipe was in full berry force also communicating its "21 Ways in 21 Days" concept to the foodservice industry. The 21 day shelf life of the blueberries gives foodservice the perfect opportunity to put the versatile berry to great use in dishes from salads and appetizers, to desserts and cocktails.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><b>The Sensory Experience contest went to Mann Packing with the Arcadian Harvest Ruby Blend Herbaceous Steak Salad.</b> <img class="small-cropped-image" src="https://cdn.andnowuknow.com/legacySmallCroppedImages/mannPacking.jpg" alt="Monday, July 29th, 2013" />The dish featured the company's Arcadian Harvest Ruby Blend®, grape tomatoes, grilled sweet Corn, Mann Packing Butternut Squash, gorgonzola cheese, grilled New York Strip Steak and a herb mustard vinaigrette.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>The company is constantly rejuvenating and contributing to the lettuce and leafy green categories with their innovations, creativity and ability to harness truly original flavors. This year the company launched a Lettuce Revolution with the assistance of a Technomic® report Mann sponsored to uncover consumer preferences regarding salad greens. The results created a Lettuce Revolution Manifesto.<a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href="http://anuk-clients.s3.amazonaws.com/Mann_Packing/Mann%27s%20Lettuce%20Revolution%20Manifesto%202013.pdf" target="_new">THE MANIFESTO</a><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><b>To round out this year's awards, PMA Foodservice honored Best of Show to Rocket Herb Farms. </b><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">A few dishes that AndNowUKnow enjoyed ranged from Idaho-E. Oregon Onions USA Onion & Mizuna Salad with Yuzu Kosho and Diakon Radish Dressing which combined international elements, to Sunkist® Growers Lemon-Coriander Salsa with Grilled Shrimp. The global appeal and wonderful versatility of lemons was a trademark at the show. The lemon enhanced and flavored the fresh concept which presented unique flavors like mustard and coriander...and of course Sunkist® Seedless lemons make preparation simple and hassle-free. San Miguel Produce presented guests with another tasty offering: SuperKALE Sushi made with Cut ‘N Clean Organic SuperKALE Salad with Organic Toasted Sesame Vinaigrette, cucumber, seaweed, and ginger.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Duda Farms Fresh Foods booth was quite the hang out and for good reason. The company presented street tacos to show attendees that were not to be missed, along with creative cocktails and drinks inspired by the company’s farm fresh celery, Meyer lemon and Citrine® products. </p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>PMA also announced that 27 more salad bars have been awarded to schools in four states, as supporters of the First Lady’s Let’s Move Salad Bars to Schools initiative.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
