LEMINGTON, ONTARIO, CANADA - Make way for greenhouse-grown melons! The latest innovation from Pure Flavor® has arrived and is ready to rock the fresh produce department. Branded under the Solara™ name, this new product will be known for its convenient size, beautiful appearance, and flavorful eating experience.
“After many years of research and development, we are excited to bring the first commercially available greenhouse-grown melons to market,” said Jamie Moracci, President, in a company press release.
Research found that Solara melons are scalable production-wise and check all the boxes to meet product, brand, retail, foodservice, and consumer expectations. Pure Flavor’s R&D team partnered with Cornell University, gaining valuable insights on both product and plant health to help maximize yield and most importantly, flavor.
“Our product trials told us a great deal; we knew that it had to be something special that we could scale commercially to meet the demand. After 8 years, we have launched a unique product that our customers are excited about and will breathe new life into the category,” commented Moracci.
Mildly cool, sweet, and juicy, Solara melons are personally sized and sustainably grown using just the right amount of light, nutrition, and water. Reducing food waste is a key product trait of Solara as a single-serving opportunity, available in both single and multi-pack formats.
“It’s paradise in the palm of your hand! Roughly 500g in size, the sweetness and personal size of the Solara Melon makes it a great partner with foods like prosciutto, shrimp, basil, mint, pistachios, we are even using the Melon as a yogurt and granola snack, the product pairings are endless,” said Matt Mastronardi, Executive Vice President.
The name “Solara” (Latin for “of the sun”) was chosen because it connotes a tropical setting and a “Fresh Taste of Paradise,” which is the slogan Pure Flavor developed for it, according to a press release.
“The consumer-centric brand strategy is simple: it’s the one sitting snack, meal, appetizer, post-workout re-hydrator. It's for me and only me. Fits in the palm of my hand. Up close and personal—yes, the perfect size, just for me. It’s the ME melon!” said Chris Veillon, Chief Marketing Officer.
The Solara launch will be supported with digital content that includes a wide variety of recipes and a detailed “goes well with” feature.
“The strategic investment in R&D is done to help grow the industry and help increase fresh produce consumption,” said Moracci. “We are working on more melon varieties and look forward to rolling them out shortly.”
More information on this innovative variety can be found here.
I know I am not the only consumer who will be adding this product to my shopping cart all summer long.
